EVERTON PLAYERS RECOVERED FROM INJURIES
March 1 1939. The Liverpool Daily Post
By John Peel
Everton have chosen their team to oppose Wolverhampton Wanderers in the cup-tie on Saturday, and it is gratifying to find out that injured players have recovered and that the team will be at full strength. Gillick injured his shoulder in the match with the Wolverhampton last Wednesday, and there was a doubt about his fitness, but I am glad to learn that the shoulder has made such a rapid recovery that he will he will be in his accustoned place. Stevenson, Cook and Thomson with other players who were unable to turn out against Leeds are all ready for the big test at the Molyneux Ground. Everton therefore will full the combat ion which has not lost a game this year.

EVERTON PLANS FOR CUP JOURNEY
March 1, 1939. The Evening Express.
By Pilot.
Everton will break new ground for Saturday’s big F.A. Cup tie against Wolverhampton Wanderers at Molineux Grounds. They will spend the night before the match at Leamington. This is being done to order to make travelling easier. The players are at present at Harrogate, but to travel from the Yorkshire resort to Wolverhampton on Saturday morning, would mean the players having to rise early. Instead, the party will leave Harrogate at 2.p.m. on Friday for Leamington, in Wolverhampton, and if will be only a 45 minutes journey from there to Wolverhampton on Saturday. “Not a worry in the world “was the message I got from Harrogate today. Gillick as I announced is certain to play and the players who have travelled the cup road will be available against the young Wolves. Everton have suffered only one defeat in 1939. This was last Wednesday, at Wolverhampton, but even then the full cup side was not on duty, for Lawton was at inside right and Bell centre-forward. News from Wolverhampton is that the Wanderers will probably play the team that defeated Liverpool last Saturday. The team will not be selected until Friday, but it is practically certain that with Burton unfit, 16-year-old Mullen will have his first Cup experience.

EVERTON RESERVES
Liverpool Evening Express - Thursday 02 March 1939
Everton now have only two players on the injured. list. They are Jack Jones and Duggie Trentham. The Blues' Reserves visit Sheffield United, on Saturday, in a Central League game. EVERTON RESERVES. Lovett; Jackson. Lambert; Britton, Gee. Lindley; Barber, Cunlifle. Bell, Sharp, Keenan.

EVERTON TO BREAK THEIR JOURNEY
March 2 1939. The Liverpool Daily Post
By John Peel.
Everton are going on well at Harrogate, though the weather has not been too good. The Goodison club is trying an innovation for the tie at Wolveshampton. Instead of making the journey from Harrogate to the Midlands they are going to Leamington to-morrow afternoon. This is to avoid the rather long and broken journey on the morning of the match, and allow the players a longer rest. They will leave Leamington about noon for Wolverhampton.

BLIND MASSEUR JOINS THE EVERTON CUP CAMP.
March 2, 1939. The Evening Express.
Final Training For Wolves Battle.
By Pilot.
Everton are taking no chances, regarding the fitness of their players for Saturday’s F.A. Cup sixth round tie against Wolverhampton Wanderers at Molineux grounds. A new departure has been made regarding the special training at Harrogate. Generally the players are left in charge of Mr. Harry Cooke, the trainer, but this time the club’s blind masseur, Mr. Harry Cook, has joined the party to assist the trainer. The masseur is paying his first visit to Harrogate, and with the players in the capable hands of the two Harry’s, there is no doubt about their conditions. Matters continue to run smoothly and encouragingly at Harrogate. The Players had a “busmen’s holiday’ yesterday, being spectators at a local match. Today they went to the local ground for ball practice and running, and then back to the hotel for baths and massage. In the afternoon they visited the Oakdale Golf course for golf and billiards flying handicaps. The day was completed, as usual, with a cinema show. The lads will go for a short, brisk walk tomorrow morning to keep them tuned up, and at two o’clock they say “Fare Well” to Harrogate, while cherishing the fond hope that they will return their soon. The Wolves have not yet made an announcement regarding their team, but indications are that it will be a case of “no change.” All the players with the exception of Burton are fit, and the side which appeared at Anfield last Saturday is expected to oppose the Blues. Indications are that about 10,000 Everton supporters will go to Wolverhampton by road and rail to cheer on their favourities. Everton “A” team have arranged to play their important Liverpool County Combination match against Skelmersdale at Goodison Park on Saturday. The championship of the League depends on this game.

LETTER FROM WOLVERHAMPTON
March 2, 1939. The Liverpool Echo
Ranger’s Notes.
Mr. F. J. Somerville, of 42 Rayleign Road, Wolverhampton says; “I organize a party of Wolves’ supporters for away matches and know all the leading grounds. I have visited Liverpool since 1899. In the whole of my experience I have never known such discredible conduct as was shown last Saturday at Anfield. “Also the conduct of some Liverpool supporters at the Cup-tie with Wolverhampton was very unsportsmanlike. There was a lot of brawling after the match and deplorable scenes at the station. “Against the Everton, in spite of the heavy defeat played as gentlemen which after the match the supporters conduct was all one could expect. So much I wrote congratulating Everton on that sportsmanship. If Everton should win on Saturday the Wolves supporters will wish them the best of success and hope to see them left the Cup-tie. Let us all be true sportsmen and worthy of the game and the towns in which we live.”

EVERTON BID FOR 11TH F.A. CUP SEMI-FINAL
March 3, 1939. Evening Express.
Record Crowd Will See Molineux Duel
Greatest Tie Between Rivals For Big Soccer “Double.”
Wing Way May Be Winning Way
By Pilot.
Everton tomorrow will make a bid to enter the F.A. Cup semi-final stage for the 11th time in the history of the club. They face Wolverhampton Wanderers in the sixth round at Molineux ground, Wolverhampton. This is regarded as the greatest tie of the season, for both clubs are running neck-and-neck in an effort to bring off the football “double” the winning of the cup and the League title. The clubs are placed first and second in the First Division table, Everton claiming two pints more for a similar number of matches . Rarely have I know a tie arouse such enthusiasm –or difference of opinion, for that matter. It has been the sole topic in sporting circles ever since the Blues got through their replay against Birmingham. It will be surprising if the ground record of 61,267 set up when Arsenal played at Wolverhampton in the Cup last season is not broken. This is a mission of revenge so far as the Blues are concerned –revenge on Merseyside behalf. Wolves beat Everton 7-0 in the League, only nine days ago; just prior to that the Wanderers had knocked Liverpool out of the Cup and last Saturday the Wanderers won at Anfield. I do not think Everton will be defeated tomorrow. Form is all against even a partial success, for the Blues, but there is no such thing as “form” in the Cup. It is just eleven men opposing eleven men, and fighting spirit counts just as much as football ability. The clubs have each defeated the other this season, but the outstanding fact is that, so far, Everton have proved the better team this season. It is because of this that I take them as the eventual winners. This may come about only after a replay, however.
Better League Record.
Everton have a better league record than the Wolves, and they have performed better in the Cup. Why then, should they not survive? The Wolves have had three home ties whereas the Everton boys have had two away games out of three –and against First Division opponents, too! Still, tradition favours the prospects of the Wolves, for they have never been beaten by Everton in a cup-tie and the Merseysiders have rarely fared well when visiting Molineux. I appreciate that the Wolves are one of the best teams we have had in years. They play high-powered football in accurate, almost electric style. If they can be faulted it is in finishing and in having a propensity to become “rattled” under pressure. On that 7-0 day, Everton did not have out their full cup team, and the facts that Tommy Lawton was not happy at inside-right and was not able to keep an eye on the dangerous Dorsett, contributed to the Blues downfall.
Bentham’s Part.
Dorsett will not have the same scope with Bentham, there on the job, and if Bentham can upset the pairing Dorsett-Westcott combination he will have played more than his part. Everton must exploit their extreme wingers as much as possible, I think Gillick and Boyes, who has scored in every round this season, can upset the Wolves defence. The long cross field pass is, in my opinion, the match winning move. Here is a tip to the left flank of attack. Galley the Wolves right half-back has a habit of closing into the centre to cover Cullis. The hint should be sufficient for the Blues. Still, it is hard to tell any team how to win. They know best for it is their job, but if I know Everton correctly, they will give the Wolves one of the biggest shocks they have ever had. If Everton score the vital goal I think they will win. We should see a game brimful of football craft, speed and excitement and untested in a truly sporting manner. The game will be controlled by Mr. Thompson, of Leamington-on-Tyne –one of our best referees. Here’s to a great game, a clean game –and may the winners eventually carry off the cup. Everton; Sagar; Cook, Greenhalgh; Mercer, Jones (Tom), Thomson; Gillick, Bentham, Lawton, Stevenson, Boyes. Wolverhampton Wanderers; Scott; Morris, Taylor; Galley, Cullis, Gardiner, Mullen, McIntosh, Westcott, Dorsett, Maguire.
About Mascot.
Let me make an appeal to those keen soccerites who like to be styled “club mascot.” Tomorrow Everton play the Wolves in the Cup and I for one, held out just a hope that there will be no Everton “mascot.” My reason for this wish is based on the experience of the Liverpool players when they were at Molyneux on cup business. Before the game the lads were besieged by “mascots” and –would you credit it? –mascots ran on to the field to shake Fagan by the hand just before he was about to take a penalty. I appreciate that is is all borne of natural enthusiasm, but I firmly believe “mascots” can do more harm than good.
Vital Game.
There is a vital game to be decided at Goodison park tomorrow –a match which may decided the championship of the Liverpool County Combination. It is between Everton “A” and Skelmersdale –the leading clubs in the competition. Everton have two points more then “Skem” but they have played one match more. Victory for either will probably carry the championship with it. Everton are the resigning champions, and are as a matter of fact, making a bid for their fourth successive title. It is possible that the two teams will also meet in the final of the Challenge Cup. Both are in the semi-final –and they are not drawn together. Everton “A”; Burnett; Prescott, Saunders; Hill, Edwards, Davies (Jack); (from); Merritt, Sweeney, K. Dean, Catterick, Roberts, Davies (Joe).

EVERTON HAVE TREMENDOUS TASK AT WOLVERHAMPTON
March 3, 1939. The Liverpool Echo
Ranger’s Notes.
The long awaited clash between Wolves and Everton stands out as the classic of the season, alongside which even the meeting of Everton and Derby pale into insignificance. What of Everton chances? They are discussed at length by Stork below. For my own part I am afraid Everton will go out. While it is impossible completely to ignore the league debacle. I am not paying a great deal of attention to it. Wolves will not catch Everton in the hop like that again. It will be a hard struggle with not much in it at the finish, but it is imposable to blink the fact that Wolves with their tails up and everything going sweetly for them, are outstanding in their speed, combination, shooting and everything else that goes to make the super side of modern football. One thing may rattle them. If Everton can score first and hammer the defence like Liverpool did it may crack. The ordeal is a big one for a young side. Everton have the advantage on the score of experience. It may just turn scales if they can check the Wolves lively attack, but I am none the optimistic. Still, I didn’t expect a win in the third round at Derby, and they pulled it off. Here’s wishing Everton the best of luck and hoping I’m wrong again.

PACE THE FACTOR.
March 3, 1939. The Liverpool Echo
By Stork.
Have you made up your mind about the Wolverhampton-Everton Cup tie at the Molineux ground tomorrow? I have been trying to do so ever since that “nightmare” game of a few days ago, and even now I have no confidence. Before the league meeting I honestly believed that Everton were capable of forcing a replay with the Wanderers but I cannot get the 7-0 defeat out of my memory. I required some encouragement for thinking Everton would draw but the Wolves quelled what little I had and although I have weighted up the pros and cons of the tie I am still wondering what will happen. No matter which way you look at the game you can give reasons why Everton should not be beaten; you can also find reason why the Wolves should confirm their league form. Perhaps the Wolves’ performance of a week ago will entice me to give them the vote, but I have such a belief in Everton’s football craft that I am half inclined to say here and now that they will at least bring the Wolves to Goodison to win through. On last week’s showing Wolverhampton are the best side in the country. They have everything which goes to the making of a complete team –pace, yes staggering pace, good shooting, and fine tackling, and those who aver that they are a rough team must eat their words after seeing their display against Liverpool (twice) and Everton. They are determined tacklers, and have a right to be if that will bring them success, but their greatest menace is their speed. These youngsters can keep up a hectic pace for ninety minutes, when most others would be blawm out.” This is where Everton will have to watch their step, for they have never been classed as a fast eleven. Their game is more like the Scots game more entrancing to the eye but not more effective than Wolverhampton’s high-speed football. I have never made it a habit of giving advice to a team as to what method would be best to overcome an opponent. They should know better than I do, but I do say that one way of checking the Wolves would be to scotch the wingers. Easier said than done, says you. I know, but it is possible.
Can They Be Rattled? Those who have seen a lot of the Wolves tell me that they can be rattled by a goal. They were at Goodison, but they were not the side than that they ate today. They are generally the ones to get in the first blow so that they are immediately playing from a winning hand, and that is a big advantage. What effect would it have on them were Everton to take the first goal? Everton are almost certain to try and get in the first blow and are capable of it, despite the League game debacle, it would prove whether the Wolves have the will to fight back. Personally, I think their have. The Everton boys are confident that they will not be beaten, the right attitude for the League leaders –they are still that, although some would have us believe that they are bottom team, so little chance have they been given in this match. Everton have never beaten the Wolves in a Cup-tie. Here is their chance, but I think we are going to be disappointing. Nothing would please me greater than an Everton victory, but I must not allow sentiment to interfere with my better judgment. Everton; Sagar; Cook, Greenhalgh; Mercer, Jones, Thomson; Gillick, Bentham, Lawton, Stevenson, Boyes.

EVERTON’S MISFORTUNES
March 4 1939. The Daily Posy
By y John Peel
It was a shock to learn last night from my colleague ‘’Stork’’ who is with the Everton team, that Bentham and Thomson may not be able to play owing to injuries. These are regarded key men, so that if they are unable to turn out it well be a handicap. The players were absent on the occasion of Everton’s failure in the League game. Cunliffe and Watson, two wholehearted players are ready to put in all they know if required.

EVERTON’S way with COLDS
Liverpool Evening Express - Saturday 04 March 1939
Mr. Cooke reveals his secret -Mr. Harry Cooke, the famous trainer Everton F.C., tells us how his men manage to avoid colds and influenza. small measure, to your splendid remedies.” At the first sign of a cold players put a few drops of the Vick- Vatronol up each nostril; that generally stops the cold before it starts.
DOUBLE action
Some colds come on suddenly, especially when one gets as hot as League player* do! If colds reach the chest and throat, the men are wsll the skin and by the - vapours breathed in) makes short work colds.
For YOU too!
To you and your family health is just as important as to the fine men who play football before thousands and you can reduce your time lost from colds in the same way It has been proved in a series of tests involving 17,353 adults and children under careful medical supervision. Tire results showed that "Vatronol” and 'Vick” together reduced the normal loss of time from colds by more than half. Have these safeguards always by you. Vick-Vatronol brand Nasal Medicament 1/6 with handy dropper; Vick brand Vapour-Rub, trial size 1/3. double jar 2/-; at all chemists.

WESTCOTT PUTS WOLVES IN SEMI-FINAL AFTER GRIM BATTLE.
March 4, 1939. The Liverpool Football Echo
Two Great Goals By Wallasey Boy
Everton Fight Hard In Mud.
By Stork.
Everton missed their chances in the first half. They might have had three goals. Wolves took one, and from that point on became masters, Westcott the Wallasey boy, accounting for both goals. Thus Everton’s challenge for the double failed, whereas the Wolves chance has been greatly increased by this victory. It is their seventh appearance in the semi-finals. Teams; - Wolverhampton Wanderers: - Scott, goal; Morris and Taylor, backs; Galley, Cullis (captain) and Gardiner, half-backs; J. Mullen, McIntosh, Westcott, Dorsett and Maguire, forwards. Everton: - Sagar, goal; Cook (captain) and Greenhalgh, backs; Mercer, Jones and Watson (TG.), half-backs; Gillick, Bentham, Lawton, Stevenson and Boyes, forwards. Referee Mr. P. Thompson (Leamington Tyne). Wolverhampton was football mad today, and hugh crowds made their way to the ground hours before the kick-off time. The gates, by the way, were closed at 2 0’clock. As I came past the ground I noticed that several gates were reopened. There had been heavy rain during the morning and the pitch was in an awful condition, so that men had to keep forking it right up to the kick-off. The middle was nothing more than a sea of mud. Everton’s team showed one change, Watson deputizing for Captain Thomson who is yet feeling the effect of his strained back.
Threats To Wolves’ Players.
Threats to two Wolverhampton Wanderers players, Scott, the goalkeeper and Cullis the centre-half, were conveyed by letter yesterday to Scott. An I.R.A, origin is presumed. The letter to Scott threatened that it would not only be oranges, such as were thrown at him at Anfield last week-end but “he would be horizontal.” Cullis was mentioned in the letter as being “marked out for disapproval.” There was no sensation in the early part of the game, such as we had experienced in the league meeting some ten days ago. Wolves were expected to take an early goal as has been their wont in many games this season, but Everton defence today was a different thing to what it was last Wednesday week. In fact, the Wolves were not dangerous for quite a time. This was due to the keenness of the Everton tackling. There was an waiting for the ball –they went for it, and this robbed the Wolves of their initiative.
Gillick’s Early Thrust.
Gillick was almost through in the first five minutes, and it was only the drag on the ball due to the unwielding turf that he did not at least test the Wolverhampton goalkeeper. Jones was fouled for an infringement against Westcott. Then Dorsett let Jones one of his whizz-bang drives which, had it been on the mark, would have been difficult to save. The ball travelled well wide, however, so that Sagar had nothing to do but watch the ball flash into the crowd. Talking about crowds, I should say there were eight to ten thousand Liverpool people present, and they soon made their presence apparent with vocal support. The first corner came to Everton, but it produced nothing more than a second’s trouble to the Wolves defence. Cullis once pushed Gillick away when the Scot was arguing about the placement of a ball for a free kick. Quite the nicest movement so far was started by Galley. He slipped the ball over to Maguire, whose jugglery with the ball on such turf was really magnificent. But on this occasion the Wolves indulged in just a shade too much passing, so that Everton were able to make contact with what promised to be a very dangerous situation. The game, all things considered was astonishingly fast, and Everton were quite as good as the Wolves when framing an attack.
Cullis-Lawton Duels.
The Wanderers were not the Wanderers of the league game; they were not possessed of the staggering pace we had seen on that occasion, yet some of their football was of high standard, and the duels between Cullis and Lawton in themselves were well worth watching. Lawton was once offside as Bentham put the ball through to him, and Boyes was having quite a good game on the Everton left wing. Jones, Greenhalgh and Cook had stood up stolidly and confidently to any endeavour of the Wolves thus far -20 minutes –and the same token Cullis and Company had so far been matters of the Everton attack. The only shot Sagar had was rather a tame effort by Dorsett. Everton were more than holding their own in fact, they were slightly on top of their opponents.
Golden Chance Missed.
Lawton, after beating two men, gave Boyes the chance of a lifetime. The winger had only to shoot to the far side of the goal to have been certain of drawing first blood, but he shot straight at the bulky Scott, who had no difficulty in saving. A little later Stevenson was put through, but he got underneath his header and lifted the ball over the bar. Yet these incidents go to prove now the game was going it was Everton who were calling the tune. At the moment Watson went up by a brilliant run, and the result was a corner. Lawton had the hardest of luck when he just failed to gather a pass by Gillick.
Narrow Squeak.
Lawton had actually beaten Cullis and although he made a determined effort to collect the ball he just failed to do so. It was certainly the narrowest squeak the Wolves had thus far. The Wanderers made one of their first raids, and this also brought a corner, but the Everton defence was backing up in such style that they let few if any loopholes for the Wolves’ forwards. Maguire was almost through and managed to avoid a Mercer tackle, but then found Sagar one too many for him. Mercer was hurt and it looked serious but after a minute’s attention he was up and doing again, and the game proceeded. Cook was spoken to for a foul on Maguire and the free kick was turned into a goal kick for Everton. Westcott and Dorsett, who had such a great innings in the League game, found Jones in such form that they rarely if ever got past him. Scott punched the ball from Lawton’s head just in the neck of time. Maguire beat Cook and Mercer, and things looked rather difficult, but Jones stopped up to save the position, Watson was putting out some gorgeous misses. Cook cleared his line with tremendous kicking, but there was no getting away from the danger of Maguire. Then was a lot put on his shoulders by the Wolves, but he was well up to his job and was the man likely to do any damage to the Everton goal.
Westcott’s Great Shot.
But as matters turned out, it was a Mersey side man who was to put Everton up against the wall. Westcott got possession right over on the left wing and coming into the middle he shot with greater power, the ball hitting the foot of the upright on its way into the net at 43 minutes. This naturally sent the Wolverhampton people into a frenzy. It was rank bad luck for Everton for they had been the better side. They had cut down the Wolves speed by half and seemed quite capable of holding the Wolves till the interval. Nevertheless one must pay tribute to Westcott for his tenacity in coming across the field, beating two Everton men en route, and shooting as well as he did.
Half-time Wolverhampton Wanderers 1, Everton 0.
In the first two minutes of the second half Lawton had the ball in the Wolves net from an obviously offside position. Then Watson was hurt in a collision with Dorsett, and had to go off the field for a matter of five minutes, during which time Boyes dropped back to left half. Westcott was only just held up in time by Jones, the shot finishing in time by Jones, the shot finishing in among the crowd. Wolves were now playing more confidently and Everton seemed to have lost a little of their pace. Lawton and Gillick between them made an opening for Stevenson, but the Irishman shot poorly. On the other hand a Maguire pass to Dorsett was the acme of perfection, and it look two Everton men to stop Dorsett from worming his way through. Galley, from long range, shot wide.
Wallasey Boy Again!
Then Westcott gave the Wolves a further lead with lead a goal scored at the hour. This Wallasey boy has undoubtedly got a brave heart. He appeared to have no chance of scoring for there seemed too big a barrier in front of him, but he never given up trying, and it was this equality which enabled him to beat Jones and shoot from close in, the ball hitting the underneath side of the crossbar before it finally landed in the net. Dorsett also netted a few minutes afterwards, but the whistle had sounded offside some seconds before. There was a call from the crowd to send Boyes off –what he had done I cannot imagine. Cullis, with the tenacity of a lion stuck to Stevenson, who was forced to veer out to the right, and the ball was eventually forced over the line. The Wolves with a two-goal lead were playing with the confidence only such a lead can give, and young Mullen tried his luck with a shot, which Sagar saved, but it was all a waste of energy for he was well offside. He tried again a little bit later on from a genuine position, but shot over the bar.
Nothing Right For Everton.
Nothing would go right for Everton now, and the Wolves seemed assured of carrying the day. Everton had lost their chances in the first half, they did not get them again; for Lawton was playing a lone hand up the middle –which tells how the Wolves were dominating the situation. McIntosh shot wide and Maguire was finding Cook and Mercer a proposition. On the other wing Boyes had an opportunity of earning lame when he pranced through the Wolves defence and shot. Scott saving with ease. A ball across the goalmouth would have been of infinitely more value, for Gillick was standing almost alongside the post. Just previously Boyes made a similar sort of run, but the Wolverhampton defence gave way to no man now. Jones still commanded the middle but even he could not prevent Dorsett from the right wing, centering so closely that Sagar, for safety, had to tip over the bar. The Wanderers half backs were now almost as much an attacking force as their forwards, and when Gillick tried to get round Taylor the latter treated him in a most nonchalant manner to beat him. Bentham was knocked out when Mercer was clearing, the ball catching him in the face. Lawton completely missed his kick when there was a possible chance in the last few minutes, and again when he headed Mercer’s free kick he put it outside the upright. Almost with the last kick of the match Boyes brought Scott to his knees with a grand ground shot. At the end of the match there was general handshaking. Final; Wolverhampton Wanderers 2, Everton 0.

LEAVES FROM MY NOTEBOOK
March 4, 1939. The Liverpool Echo
By Ranger.
Football crowds are fickle folk. The spectators at the Drumorda ground turned up to the tune of 10,000 last week-end in the hope of seeing Dixie Dean turn out for Sligo Rovers. The former Evertonians was unable to play, having strained a ligament in his knee while playing golf. He came out in ordinary attire, however to shake hands with the referee and opposing captain, and was subjected to a hostile reception. No doubt the fans were annoyed, but the fault was no Dean’s. The Sligo people, I understand, sent a wire saying that Dean was unfit as soon as they could, but, unfortunately, the news was not made public in time to prevent a record crowd turning-up.

SITTER MISSED AND LUCKY SHOTS THAT FOUND A BILLET.
March 4, 1939, The Liverpool Echo
Thrilling Episodes In Everton’s Cup Lore
When Mighty Sunderland Fell At Goodison And Lowly Crystal Palace Conquered
Once Bunny Bell Was Dubious
By Stork.
Right in the thorns of cup ever, it is interesting to look back upon some of the thrilling ties we have witnessed during the last twenty years or so? The one that stands out above all others is that Everton-Sunderland replay of a few years ago. That game has been voted and quoted as the best Cup-tie ever. No doubt you have seen better football before and since, but you will never have a greater thrill. It was at the first game at Roker. It was not a match to keep in the memory, but one to forget as quickly as you could; for it left a nasty flavor. In a way the tie resembled that played at Wolverhampton today, for Sunderland like Wolverhampton were said to be a certainty. But Everton forced Sunderland to visit Goodison Park, and so gave thousands of Merseyside fans the chance to see the game of the century. There was electricity in the air; electricity on the field, a thrill a second and a belief by many that Everton had won at the call of time –ninety minutes. But Bob Gurney claimed an extra half hour for his side by his amazing overhead kick in the last half-minute. So the battle raged for another half-hour. No dull and uneventful half-hour, but thirty minutes cammed full of action and incident until finally Everton came out victors 6-4. That game will never die. Another such game was that at Derby County this year. It was almost on a par with its predecessor, but one could not expect two such games in one decade. Again Everton were labeled among the fallen before a ball had been kicked, again they upset the prophets. Everton have in fact, been concerned in some of the most sensational cup-ties during the last ten years. I have to drag this one up, but needs must for it provided the biggest sensation of the year, 1922, aye, many years. Need I name it? Crystal Palace. Shall I go on? Yes. Well, the Palace came and conquered in a game which was made famous because their goalkeeper spent his time eating Oranges thrown to him by the spectators. Mr. Alderson was quite content to do that for he had nothing else to do. His forwards were doing all that was required cracking half-a-dozen goals past Tommy Fern who played that day with his hands in a splint. I should say that defeat was the most bitter pill Everton ever had to swallow. They got their revenge some years later at the Palace when they won by the self-same score 6-0. Another game which stands out in the memory was the semi-final tie at Old Trafford with West Bromwich Albion, as rivals Monty Wilkinson and Coggins were made the scapegoat for that defeat, for the outside right missed a sitter, and Coggins made a blunder which sent the Albion to the final. Then there was that replay at White Hart Lane when Everton with a two goal lead and tem minutes to play, looked a certainty for the next round. But the Spurs staged a rally, and not only got the two goals necessary to keep them in the game, a further half hour, but a third to win in dramatic fashion. I was not present at that game, but understand that more than one player was faulted or, in other words, blamed for the defeat. A Cup-tie is always an intriguing affair. A momentary slip and all is over. A lucky goal can send a team forward when on the balance of play; it had not earned the right to go into the “hat,” for the next round. Finals have been won by a lucky goal. Who will ever forget Kirton’s goal which won the Villa the Cup? The ball struck him on the back of the head and cannoned into the net. He had scored until his colleagues rushed up to him to offer him their felicitations.
“Bunny” Bell.
Dean, Waring, Riddling Bell. I think that was the order of going in at Tranmere Rovers ground. Those four names attracted national attention and keen bidding by clubs for the signatures. Today I am making Bell my Personal subject. It has been said that he, like Dean and Waring, had his pseudonyan. “Bunny” thrust upon him by the Rovers supporters. That is not true for Roberts, to give him his right name, was christened “Bunny” by his schoolmates. Bell’s first club was Carlton Athletic a junior organization in Wirral, and he was an inside-left, but his goal scoring feats soon took him to the middle, where he has remained ever since. He joined the Rovers when he was eighteen and employed as a junior clerk in a Liverpool shipping office. He was a long time in making up his mind whether he would remain at the desk or embrace football as a full time career. He was loth to give up his amateur status, but upon going to Everton in 1935-36, he finally left the “City.” I well remember his signing in the Exchange Hotel, Liverpool. He required a lot of croaking and he seemed in doubt as to whether he has done the right thing immediately he had put pen to paper. He seemed very dubious when I spoke to him. I was no Sid Walker, anyway. There was some sort of an exchange for “Nobby” Clarke, the Everton half back, signed in the same room at the same time. Bell’s greatest joy was the day he scored 9 goals against Oldham Athletic on Boxing Day, 1935, but he was not destined to hold the record for long for it was only a matter of weeks before Payne, the Luton Town centre forward robbed him of the honour. Still it is somewhat of a feat to score 9 goals in one match, and from all accounts, with the slightest bit of luck he would have scored a dozen or more goals. He actually missed a penalty and once hit the post. He immediately became known as nine-goals Bell. Naturally with such a reputation, he became the special victim to the centre half back. It was soon after that he became an Everton player. He had to play second fiddle to Dean, like many others before him, and now, with Lawton hitting the highlight he rarely gets a chance to figure in the senior side. Everton, however, have never had a more conscientious servant than Bell. A quiet, thoughtful young man, he would play anywhere but centre forward is his natural bent, and were he endowed with a little more weight I think he would have a better chance. Bell is built on slender lines. He has the height all right, but not the bulk of Dean or Lawton. Most of his football has been played in the Central League team, having helped them to win the championship. Last year he scored 40 goals; a good season’s work, don’t you think? He is among the exalted company in Everton’s second team, which has included several internationals on occasion. At the moment he has as colleagues Charlie Gee and Britton, both of whom have won an England jersey on numerous occasions. He has made a dozen or so appearance in the first team, scoring some grand goals at times. His ball play has improved greatly in my opinion. What would Tranmere Rovers give for Bell, a Dean, Waring today –if they had the cash.

EVERTON’S EARLY SUPERIORITY
Wolverhampton Wanderers 2 Everton 0 (F.A. Cup Game 156)
March 6 1939. The Liverpool Daily Post
By Stork
Chances Lost in First Half
Wolverhampton Wanderers won their way through to the semi-final of the Cup. In a manner which brooks of no arguments in Wolverhampton on Saturday night. I heard a few Evertonians claim that it was a lucky win. Nothing of the sort. The Wanderers won and won well by 2 goals to nothing, after they had been tested to the full for half the game. When Everton were undeniably the better side. But a goal scored by Westcott at the 43rd minute turned the game, for from that point, the Wolves had the match won. I have not seen a goal finish a game as old this one for up to them Everton had given just as much if not more than the Wolves but after that it was one way traffic and the Wolves promised to add to their score rather than did Everton suggest that they would make it a fighting finish. The ground was again a sea of mud-I don’t think it is ever anything else these days-but Everton ‘’played;’’ it quite as well as did the Wolves, who were not allowed to run riot as in the League game. Everton’s quick and keen tackling took away from them the initiative and that being the case the Wolves were just an ordinary side, with Everton having the better chances to have drawn first blood, and I gained the impression that the side-taking the first goal, would also take the victory. That is just what happened. Wolverhampton were plainly troubled by the Everton team which they had routed to the tune of seven goals. They could hardly have expected such stern opposition, but they would have been more shocked had Everton got in the first blow, as they should have done with the chances at their disposal. If Everton had scored three goals in the first half hour-and they could have done-I wonder how the Wolves would have taken it. They were none too comfortable as it was. They did not think this Everton team could hold them as they did, and also open wide their defence to make scoring opportunities. Everton actually did this, and Boyes had a great chance when he was left with Goalkeeper Scott and yards of open space at the far side of the goal to shoot at. He shot straight at Scott’s hands. Then Lawton was right through having passed Cullis, and seemed all set for a goal. I don’t see how he could have missed from the position he was in, but he seemed to slip and could not get in his drive. It was explained to me afterwards that Lawton had first been pushed forward and then pulled back by the jersey and that was the reason for the slip. At all events the Wolves were saved a goal deficit at a time when Everton were doing extraordinarily well. Then there was a Stevenson header which he guided over the crossbar instead of beneath it. During all this time the Wolves’ only shot at the Everton goal were one by Dorset outside and another from the same player, which travelled slowly to Sagar’s hands. In the League game, Wiolverhampton’s speed had been staggering; it was non-existent on Saturday, for the Everton defence were even faster into the tackle than the Wolves, so that the home lot could not get into the flowing style of theirs which made them such a wonder team in the first meeting. Having held them at bay for so long, I began to think that Everton had a chance, but than came the first goal. Westcott had slipped on to the left wing, and took a short pass from Maguire. Even then I did sense any real danger, until I saw this Wall say them steer his way beyond three Evertonians, and he reached the Penalty line, when he released a shot of amazing power, the ball speeded just inside the upright; low down. Such skill are the most difficult of all for any goalkeepers. In the second half I expected Everton at least to test the Wanderers lead, but instead they gradually slipped back and out of the game, and the Wolves got on top and stayed there to the finish. Before the end Westcott had put the score well beyond Everton’s reach for Everton never promised to reduce the goal arrear, let alone two goals. They had slowed down, it pace were not the keen tacklers they had been, and Scott’s work was reduced to that of an onlooker. The Wolves had taken command and at the hour Westcott scored another clever goal by steer persistency. A free kick was the starting point. Dorsett beat Cook in the air nodding the ball down to Westcott who beat Jones, averted a tackle by Watson, and hooked the ball into the net via the crossbar. Dorsett shortly afterwards netted an offside goal, just as Lawton had done, but by this time Everton were mainly on the defensive for the Wanderers were playing with the confidence which only coins with a comfortable lead. They got better and better, but the Everton defence was still a grand fighting force, Mercer and Watson had been hurt yet played on gallantly, but the forwards could not release themselves at this point from the Wolves stranglehold. There was no heavy pressure put upon the Wolves defence until the last few minutes when Lawton with a ‘’possible’’ kicked round the ball and when Boyes tried a shot when he should have sent the ball over to Gillick, standing alongside the upright. Later Boyes cracked in a nice low drive, which Scott turned around the post but even had that ball landed in the net, there was not enough time to have allowed of an equalizer. It was poor marksmanship by Everton which helped the Wolves in their success for I am confident had any of three gilt-edged chances been accepted in the first half it would have played havoc with a winners. They were undoubtedly troubled on their minds about their failing to outwit the Everton defence, and having to play seconds fiddle for so long. They would have had to fight with their backs to the wall, and in my view, would have become rattled. Even more than they were. It is no use surmising now. The Wolves are in the semi-final but Everton gave them a severe test, although well beaten in the end by a pitiful confident, and strong side, which will take some battening. They will not however have the Molynux ground to help them in their remaining games. Everton went down gallantly, There was no sign of that 7-0 defeat about them, but their forwards have lost their early season sparkle. Westcott was much more prominent man Lawton who had a grueling-time against Cullis and McIntosh and Dorsett did not require a lot of space in which to do their work. The Wolves inside trio are ever dangerous, for they are always up. What a comparison with Everton, who at times had Lawton as the only man up the field. I thought Greenhalgh was magnificent and was closely followed by Mercer. Watson and Jones. Gillick injured his shoulder in the first half and was not seen in the second, so that the line was not balanced and I name Boyes as the best attack, which has not been convincing since the Derby game at Anfield. Result Wolverhampton Wanderers 2 Everton 0. Wolverhampton Wanderers:- Scott, goal, Morris, and Taylor backs, Galley, Cullis (captain), and Gardiner, half-backs, Mullen (j), McIntosh, Westcott, Dorsett, and Maguire, forwards. Everton:- Sagar goal, Cook (Captain), and Greenhalgh, backs, Mercer, Jones (tg), and Watson half-backs, Gillick, Bentham, Lawton, Stevenson, and Boyes, forwards. Referee Mr. T.Thompson (Lemington-on-tyne). Attendance 59,545.

CENTRAL LEAGUE
Sheffield United Reserves 4 Everton Reserves 1
March 6 1939. The Liverpool Daily Post
Central League (Game 33)
Everton played McMurray for Cunliffe at inside right. After eight minutes Marshall scored for United. When Lovett dropped the ball in front of goal when attempting to clear a centre from Barton. Another goal came to United after 15 minutes. Barton scoring from 25 yards range, ands two minutes later Webster scored the home side third goal following a corner kick. After 40 minutes Jones converted a centre from Barton to put United four up. Britton scored for Everton midway through the second half.

LIVERPOOL COUNTY LEAGUE
Everton’’A’’ 3 skelmersdale United 1
March 6 193. The Liverpool Daily Post
At Goodison Park. The visitors opened the score but a brilliant hat-trick by Catterick earned the home side two points in the race for the championship. Prescott Saunders Davies, Dean (k), and Catterick were outstanding for Everton, while Briscoe, Smith, Tinsley, and Pilley were prominent for Skelmersdale. Riley scored for the visitors from a penalty. Placed 1st played 20, w17, lost 3 draw 1, for 78, against 27. Points 35

LEAGUE TASK FACING EVERTON
March 6, 1939. The Evening Express
The Programme Ahead.
Lapses That Ended Cup Hopes
By Pilot. Everton virtually knocked themselves out of the F.A. Cup at Molineux on Saturday, when Wolverhampton Wanderers reached the semi-final stage by beating the Blues 2-0. There is no denying the fact that while the Wolves, in the end, were other wing winners. Everton should have been well on the way to Wembley by half-time. Had they turned around with a three goal lead it would have indicated the run of the play. The shed was missing –sadly –and once definite signs of lost heart in the Everton ranks. They rarely appeared in the light of a side capable of fighting back. Still, I hand bouquets to the Blues for the fine run they have experienced in the cup. After all, they had to visit three First Division clubs and yet reached the sixth round. Further, they are still top of the First Division and so bang in the running for some of the season’s honours. Wolves, in this respect, started out as their chief rivals, and it is interesting to give the League games outstanding:-
Everton; Home; Leicester City; Birmingham; Stoke City; Sunderland; Preston North End; Aston Villa; Away; Middlesbrough; Manchester United; Sunderland, Chelsea, Charlton Ahletic; Grimsby Town; Wolverhampton Wanderers; Home; Middlesbrough; Manchester United; Chelsea; Aston Villa; Charlton Athletic; Sunderland. Away; Birmingham; Stoke City; Preston North End; Aston Villa; Bolton Wanderers; Leicester City.
Easier Programme.
Everton, in my opinion, have rather the easier programme, but if they are to become champions, far better finishing will be necessary than that of last Saturday when, in midfield, they were equally as good as their masters. The defence was excellent throughout, with Cook the shining light, but there was room for improvement in attack. Lawton did not have a good day. He was far too stereotyped. Stevenson and Bentham worked hard to carve openings for the quick-shooting leader, but Lawton failed to move to the open spaces, and never shook off his “attendants” in the same manner as did Dennis Westcott, the Wolves leader and scorer of two brilliant goals which ended Everton’s run. I think Lawton may be in need of a rest, for he has lost the quickness off the mark and speed in weighting-up a position, if this form is a true criterion. Boyes was the best winger on the field until it came to finishing.

EVERTON SAY GOOD-BYE TO WEMBLEY ASPIRATIONS
March 6, 1939. The Liverpool Echo
Now For An Unfetteried C’Ship Bid
Ranger’s Notes.
It turned out as I feared. Wolves were just a little too good for Everton, and the Goodison Park followers have had to put Wembley apparitions’ aside for another twelve months. Though the Blues were well and truly beaten by a better side. I think the state of the ground –it was nothing less than a sea of mud everywhere except near the corner flags –had its effect by slowing Everton down in the second half. They has been the quicker and better team apart from weakness in front of goal, in the first half. On such heavy going they could not keep it up in the second portion. I went into the ground question fully last week, so there is no need to go over the arguments again. Whether Molineux was watered in mid-week I don’t profess to know. Major Buckley was not there to ask on Saturday. He was away scouting in Scotland. It certainly looked as though it had been, making all allowances for the rain we had during the week. Anyway, there were sufficient leading legislators in the game gathered at Molineux on Saturday, in the persons of Mr. S. F. Rous, F.A. secretary F.A councilors, and members of the League Management Committee, to raise the matter officially if they feel it is necessary. And now Everton can settle down to the business of consolidating their league positions, without their through and endeavours being side-tracked with Cup complications. They have a hard task before hem for Wolves are as big a menace in the league as they have been in the Cup. But let the poor start in the first two months the Wanderers today would be high and dry. As it is a lot of people fancy them to do what has always been regarded as an impossibility in modern football –bring off the League and Cup double. The threat is a very real one, and Everton will have all their work cut out to shake off these rampant youngsters. The last time the “double” was done was fifty years ago, when Preston had the honours, two years after Aston Villa had preformed a similar feat. These two share the distinction between them to date. Several clubs have since been within an ace of pulling it off, but always the dual burden has proved too much. The nearest approaches so far have been made by Sheffield Wednesday, Newcastle, Sunderland, and Aston Villa. The first three were league champions respectively in 1930, 1905, and 1913, and suffered defeat in the Cup final the same year. Villa reversed the process, winning the Cup in 1913 and finishing runners-up in the League. The next nearest approach was made by Huddersfield in 1928, and Arsenal in 1932. In each case these two were defeated finalists, and finished second in the league chart.
Curious Coincidence.
For purposes of comparison here are the remaining games which Everton and Wolves have to face in their championship race; Everton; Home; Leicester City; Birmingham; Stoke City; Sunderland; Preston North End; Aston Villa; Away; Middlesbrough; Manchester United; Sunderland, Chelsea, Charlton Athletic; Grimsby Town; Wolverhampton Wanderers; Home; Middlesbrough; Manchester United; Chelsea; Aston Villa; Charlton Athletic; Sunderland. Away; Birmingham; Stoke City; Preston North End; Aston Villa; Bolton Wanderers; Leicester City. The long arm of coincidence is shown in rather a curious fashion in these fixtures, for both leading contenders for the title have to meet the same clubs practically all through. Everton have to meet on away grounds five of six team which Wolves still have to play at Molineux, while Wolves meet away five of six teams who have yet to visit Goodison Park. To carry the coincidence a stage further both Wolves and Everton have a home fixture with Sunderland, so that out of their twelve remaining matches both the two leading sides will meet the same eleven clubs. Though Everton have a two points lead at the moment the Wanderers goal average is as good as a point to them if ever they get on level terms. Assuming that Wolverhampton can maintain their present average, even if Everton win all their remaining games by 3-0 their goal tally would still be inferior to their rivals. If that happened, however, Everton points total would be sufficient to carry the day without reliving into the intricate of goals for and against, but it won’t. One of the most pleasing features of Saturday was the attendance of a large crowd of people at Lime Street to welcome back the defeated Everton team on their return. The station approaches were packed when we got back. This “vote of confidence “should encourage the team in the effort to remain where it is.
Gillick Doubtful
Everton play their postponed league game with Leicester City at Goodison Park on Wednesday (kick-off 3.15). The team will be chosen tomorrow evening. At the moment there is a doubt about Gillick, who hurt his shoulder again on Saturday, and may have to have it X-rayed if it does not mend quickly. Mercer has a scar several inches long on the inside of his leg, and Watson’s knee is badly bruised, but both may be fit in time. Thomson’s back is still giving him trouble. If Gillick is not fit Barber may come in.

EVERTON’S WORTHY BID.
March 6, 1939. The Liverpool Echo
By Stork.
In the old days it used to be considered that one goal was enough to win a Cup-final tie; it was good enough at Wolverhampton, even though the Wanderers made sure by scoring a second. Everton stayed in the round exactly 43 minutes, at which point Westcott scored for the Wolves. The Wallasey lad had administered a knock-out blow to his fellow Merseysiders, for that goal undoubtedly put paid to Everton’s account. Never again did they seem likely to trouble the Wolves defence, and the Wanderers got their teeth into a game which previously had been just out of their reach. Everton’s play up to then had been promising. There was no sign of that 7-0 defeat in their make-up, and the Wolves became a bit concerned at the way Everton were treating them. A few days previously they had whipped Everton in a League game. Perhaps they thought they could repeat that win, but were soon put wise to the fact that they would have to fight for anything they got for Everton were an entirely different proposition. They actually dictated the run of the game, and had they taken their chances –they had three reasonably good ones –the Wolves might not have been stalking around as semi-finalists. I could see by the way Cullis was ordering his men about that things were not running as smoothly as he desired. He did not relish the way his forwards were being beaten; nor by the way the Everton half backs were commanding things. A goal was needed to set the Wolves afire. It takes a goal to set them ablaze, for without one they were just an ordinary side, no better and no worse them Everton; in fact, a shade behind in the quality of their football.
A Grand Goal.
Everton had a grand first half, which was refreshing for the 8,000 supporters present, and it was bad luck that they had to turn round a goal in arrears. How often have I preached that it is of no account to talk of missed chances? They have been missed, and there it stands. That the other side accepts theirs must go to their credit. The goal which put Everton against the wall was a solo effort by Westcott, one time an Everton player –I well tell you a story about him one day. He took Maguire’s pass right over on the far touchline. It did not seem a lot of danger then, for he had several Everton men to beat before he could even think of beating Sagar. He beat three of them which brought him on to the penalty line, and then delivered a shot which was a winner from the moment it left his boot. A grand goal, Westcott! Such a one in the final will bring you fame, and should Wembley be the end of the Cup trip he may get such a goal, for he is dupable of it. He has ability, speed, and swerve and, above all, pertinacity, and it was this quality alone which get him a second goal. He seemed to have no chance when that free kick came hurting into the goalmouth, but he beat Jones and Watson in turn before he lifted the ball onto the underneath side of the crossbar and into the net.
Stone Cold.
Everton had gone stone cold long before this. They had done almost everything but score and give the Wolverhampton people very little to shout about, but with the arrival of Westcott’s goal Everton light was dimmed. They lost their thrust and handed over the reins to the adversaries and right glad the latter were to became dictators. They had been sorely tried and found not wanting. After the goal they were a new team. They never touched the great form of the League game. and those who think that they are certain to bring off the double may have to change their tune. They won’t have the Molineux ground to help them, and may not fine their next opponents letting when off so lightly as Everton did in that first half hour. A better lot of finishers might win the game in that time, for the Wolves defence is not unbeatable and none too settled when things are not going their way. Lawton explained his miss at the half hour to me by the fast that he was first pushed forward and then held back by the jersey as he was about to shoot. I didn’t see it at the time, and neither apparently did the referee. But all the excuses in the world are of no matter now, Everton missed their opportunities. It was only forward failings, for the remainder of the team did grand work, kept the Wolves down to a reasonable pace by smart tackling. Everton made a worthy bid.

EVERTON MAY GO FURTHER AHEAD IN LEAGUE RACE TOMORROW.
March 7, 1939. The Evening Express.
But Finishing Will Have To Be Better
Leicester’s Struggle
By Pilot.
Everton will probably field the team that lost to Wolverhampton Wanderers in the F.A.Cup for the rearranged match against Leicester City at Goodison Park tomorrow. The team will be selected at tonight’s meeting of the directors. Everton will have a great opportunity of consolidating their position at the head of the League. They are two points ahead of the Wolves for a similar amount of matches played. Tomorrow the Wolves face the intricate but effective Middlesbrough at Molineux, and to my mind, it is a more exacting task then the one facing the Blues. It is just possible that Everton may gain a further point on their rivals, but to make that possible there must be better finishing than was revealed last Saturday. There are worrying days for Manager Frank Womack and his directors. The City are only three points ahead of the bottom club with 24 points from 31 matches. Three of the four clubs below them have matches in hand. Leicester cannot afford to drop further points, and they will be encouraged tomorrow by the fact that they beat Everton 3-0 when the clubs met at Filbert-street. I think Everton will win. The cup defeat has not upset the players in the least. If the forwards can take the chance created by their clever approach the win should be convincing. It is expected that the City will have international “Sep” Smith, at inside forward again. “Sep” is really a wing half-back, but he has been among the goals as a forward. Everton (probable); Sagar; Cook, Greenhalgh; Mercer, Jones (Tom), Watson; Gillick, Bentham, Lawton, Stevenson, Boyes. Leicester City; (probably); McLaren; Jones, Beeday, Haywood, Sharman, Grosvenor; Griffiths, Smith (S.), Bowers, Coutts, Liddle.

GO RIGHT OUT EVERTON
March 7, 1939. The Liverpool Echo
By Stork.
Out of the Cup hunt, Everton must now push along with the League championship bid. Tomorrow they have an opportunity to gather in two further points, and must take them if they are going to hold off the challenge of the Wolves. It is a definite challenge too for the Wolves have every belief that they can win the “double.” They make no bones about that down Molineux way, so it behoves Everton to put on all the pressure they know against Leicester at Goodison tomorrow afternoon, and play home as many goals as they possibly can, and so improve their goal average. Goal average may play a big part at the end of the season; so there must be no sentiment about it and should they cub it into Leicester I hope there will be no talk about it. Only good shooting against the City will do, for Mclaren is a mighty fine goalkeeper and usually does well on Merseyside grounds. I understand he was magnificent at Anfield. Well, I have seen him stand up to a real pummeling at Goodison and save his side. Only those who won’t see must have noticed some falling off in Everton’s play in recent home games. Against Birmingham, in the replay and Bolton Wanderers, in the League game they only scrambled home by the skin of their teeth, whereas the earlier part of the season, they would have swamped the pair of them without much trouble. Are Everton feeling the effects of their heavy season? It is no light task to keep up at the top these days, for every game played becomes a Cup-tie. Lawton has not been getting among goals recently. That is only natural, for he is the special mission of the centre half, but there are others in the line who are missing their way in the goal-scoring line. It is all so different to what it used to be a few weeks ago, which rather suggests that they are feeling the strain of their Cup and League travels. There cannot be an excuse if they do not beat Leicester tomorrow, for the City are in a parlous position which does not help them in their play. They did well to hold Liverpool to a draw, but it was goalkeeping a one which brought them their point. McLaren will endeavour to do the same against Everton, so the blame for defeat will add considerable to their troubles. Several of the Everton players are carrying the scares of the Wolverhampton battle, but from what I understand the only doubtful is Gillick, who hurt his already sore shoulder at Wolverhampton. Therefore I expect the team to be; Sagar; Cook, Greenhalgh; Mercer, Jones, Watson; Gillick, Bentham, Lawton, Stevenson, Boyes.

EVERTON’S CUP-TIE RECEIPTS
March 8, 1939. The Liverpool Echo
Ranger’s Notes.
How much have Everton made out of the Cup this season? Is a question I have been asked several times since Saturday? As a general rule football followers are not particularly interested in the financial side, beyond an obvious sign and a wandering thought of what they could do if only a tithe of the Cup tie receipts dropped into their lap, but this time there seems to be a certain amount of curiously on the point. Roughly speaking –and these figures are my own, not official –I should estimate Everton’s net share of their five cup games comes to about £6,600. An awful lot of money say you? Yes, but only half what they would have got if Wembley had been marked on their passport. And only about £1,000 more than they themselves have distributed in the last seven months in players benefits. The gross receipts in the five games came to £18,860. Of this one-sixth goes in entertainment tax and a hefty portion in travelling expenses, bonuses, gatemen, Police, Advertising and all the other incidentals, which would bring the net amount down to approximately £15,000 to be divided equally between Everton and their opponents. Out of their £7,500 the Goodison Park people have to pay compensation to Portsmouth and Wolves for the rearranged League games, fortunately only on the half-scale, as these two are still in the Cup themselves. On top of that they will have to make Leicester’s proportion of today’s receipts up to the average. When all is finished, I reckon, roughly that Everton’s share will be in the region of £6,500 out of which of course, they will still have to pay for the special training periods at Harrogate, as well as bonuses. From the number of inquiries I get from time to time a lot of folk still have only a harpy idea of this compensation business. The official wording is too cumbersome to repeat. Briefly, it boils down to this; all visiting clubs which are in the Cup must take up any loss the home club suffers through a game being postponed to mid-week. An average is struck of six ordinary league games of the home club –three before the postponed date and three after –and the visitors have to pay, the difference between the average figure and what the postponed game actually yields. If, however, the home club is also in the Cup, the visitors pay only half the difference. On the other hand, should the visitors be out of the Cup and the home team in the visitors not only pay no compensation, but the home club has to make the 20 per cent share of the gate which all visiting clubs get up to the average of six league games.

EVERTON’S BIG LEAD V. LEICESTER
March 8, 1939. The Evening Express.
Full Back Scores Third Goal!
By Pilot.
Rain ruined Everton’s “gate” at Goodison Park for the rearranged league match against Leicester City today. Pools of water were all over the ground, and there few people not under cover. Everton; Sagar, goal; Cook (captain) and Greenhalgh, half-backs; Mercer, Jones (Tom) and Watson, half-backs; Gillick, Bentham, Lawton, Stevenson and Boyes, forwards. Leicester City: - McLaren, goal; Jones and Reeday, backs; Heywood, Sharman, and Grosvenor, half-backs; Grififths, Smith (S.), Bowers, Coutts, and Liddle, forwards. Referee Mr. L. Dale (Sheffield). To prove how sparsely lined were the terraces, a Leicester player had to jump over the barrier to retrieve the ball in the first minute. There was not a spectators handy to return it! The first enterprising move of the day came from Boyes, who took throw-in quickly, received a return from Lawton, and cut in before enlisting the aid of Stevenson, whose quick pass gave Gillick the right of way. Gillick cut in, but his shot sailed over the top. Watson got Everton moving in promising style and Stevenson’s shot seemed to be deflected for a corner, but the referee ruled a goal kick. Smith, taking over from Griffiths dribbled through, beating two men cleverly, but proved outside when Sagar advanced. Boyes outwitted Jones in thrilling style before turning a low centre to Stevenson, who hit it on the half volley. Sharman deflected the ball for a corner.
Leicester Thrill.
Leicester provided thrills when Griffiths placed to the goalmouth. Sagar fisted away, but Mercer failed to complete the clearance, and Liddle shot in at point-blank range. Sagar beat the ball away to Bowers, who seemed to have everything in his favour, but Sagar leapt across the goal and smothered the shot. Everton went away to take the lead in 15 minutes, Stevenson being the scorer. Bentham made the goal possible. He made as if to feed Gillick, but suddenly turned and placed low across to Stevenson, who was standing by the penalty spot. Stevenson unhesitatingly placed into the near corner of the net with his right foot –a great shot which was the essence of accuracy. Everton should have made it two when a long through pass beat Sharman and Lawton was able to go through unattended. Lawton; shot instantly instead of measuring his distance, and the ball flew high over. Everton, following their opening goal, had been well on top, playing with ease accuracy and a degree of artistry that one would expect from league leaders. Leicester rarely had a look in and Boyes increased the lead in 20 minutes when he cut inwards and let go a shot from the edge of the penalty area. The ball was deflected by Jones, so that it went over the head of the advancing McLaren to drop into the net. Everton continued to have the better of the argument, and apart from praiseworthy efforts by Smith, little was seen of the City. Smith, who is really a half-back, constituted the one danger to Everton, and when he went through and centred from the line, Cook headed away before Sagar saved high up. From Smith’s pass, Bowers headed against the bar as the whistle sounded for offside. Everton were finding themselves thrust back on defence approaching the interval, but they covered well in a game which had not produced many thrills, but which revealed Everton as the more workmanlike side.
Half-Time, Everton 2, Leicester 0.
Everton increased their lead in 48 minutes with a sensational goal from full-back Greenhalgh, who thus joined the Everton goal-scorers for the first time. Greenhalgh got at the ball just inside his own half and dribbled through strongly. Lawton “covered” his, as he outwitted Sharman and from just outside the penalty area he placed into the top far corner of the net with his right foot and was mobbed by his colleagues. Leicester were playing rather better than the score suggested, but Everton were definitely the superior craftsmen.

EVERTON WIN IN THE MUD
Everton 4 Leicester City 0 (Game 1677 over-all)-(Div 1 1635)
March 9 1939. The Liverpool Daily Post
By Stork
Everton improve their goal average when they defeated Leicester City At Goodison Park on the mud patch. They might have improved upon that had they accepted all their chance, and, by the same taken Leicester City, would have kept the tally of goals against had it not been for Sagar. The Everton goalkeeper had not a lot to do, but there were occasions when he had to make superlative saves to keep his goal intact. In the first half in particular he had to push away a surprise shot by Liddle, and then had to jump to it to block out the return by Bowers. Some Leicester City’s field play was distinctly good; in fact, it seemed much to good for a team lying so low down in the League table. But until they learn the art of clinching their midfield work with better shooting there can be little hope of a rise. They had chances but refused to accept them, and so the honours went to the team who could turn opportunities to account. I liked the Everton’s first half display. It was really good considering the state of the turf. Their passing was extraordinarily accurate, and sometimes bewildered the city defenders, who were often put out of position by the speed of Everton’s passing. Stevenson started the scoring with a goal at 15 minutes when he swept in a Bentham pass to beat McLaren all ends up. Lawton had a similar sort of chance almost immediately afterwards, but he blazed the ball over the bar. Lawton is not shooting with his old confidence and seemed slow at getting off the mark. He got the last and final goal, which was in actual fact a gift from Mercer who made a picture pass in front of the goalmouth. Leicester City had one bright spell late on in the first half, but a Boyes goal-he lobbed the ball over McLaren is head to gain a clever goal-but them with their backs to the wall. They produced some intricate football, and often had the Everton defence worried but Sagar’s work was never really difficult only to the occasion I have mentioned Sharman did not given Lawton a lot of Chance’s just as Jones closed the door on Bowlers, who, however, often went close as did Coutts, Liddle and Griffiths. But one never got the idea that Leicester would be dangerous. They worked the ball up by excellent combination only to release their grip of things once they came in contact with the Everton defence. They must mend their ways in this respect. I though Watson was the best of the half-backs Mercer was none to sure in his tackling and Jones had been better. Not that he was not defiant down the middle, but he was not so dominating as usual. Greenhalgh scored the third goal his first since he joined the Everton last season. He took the ball from the half-way line looked like losing it once or twice, but eventually landed in the penalty area with the ball still at his toe so he elected to shoot and McLaren was well and truly beaten. You can imagine the congratulations Greenhalgh received from his colleagues. They swarmed about putting him on the back, Greenhalgh was very sound; his tackling of Griffiths being confident, Griffiths got the better of him several times, but not often and when he did he caused Sagar to drive headlong into the mud to turn aside a ball which was booked for the Leicester inside forwards. It was a good thing that Everton won a view of that fact that Wiolverhampton are challenging so strongly, and I though that they would have won by an even greater margin. Still, one had to make allowance for the state of the ground, which was not conducive to good football. I enjoyed quite a lot of the play, particularly Everton control of the ball in the first half. Result 4-0. Everton:- Sagar goal, Cook (captain), and Greenhalgh, backs, Mercer, Jones, and Watson half-backs Gillick, Bentham, Lawton, Stevenson, and Boyes, forwards. Leicester City: - McLaren goal, Jones and Reelays, backs, Haywood, Sharman and Grosvenor half-backs, Griffiths, Smith (s) Bowers, Coutts and Liddle forwards. Referee Mr. L Dale (Sheffield).

EVERTON’S GERMANY TOUR
March 9 1939. Liverpool Daily Post
By John Peel.
Arrangements for Everton’s Germany tour are almost complete. They will play matches in Berlin, Vienna, Stuggart, and Dormand and there is a possibility that on their way home, they may play a game in Rotterdam. The dates have not definitely been fixed but May 7, 14, 18 and 21 have been suggested. If they are not possible the alternative dates are May 14, 18 21 24. Should Everton have to play on May 7 there is a possibility that the party will fly from Grimsby immediately after the match with the tour on May 6.

EVERTON UNCHANGED FOR ‘BORO GAME.
March 9, 1939. The Evening Express.
Win Over Leicester Keeps Blues Ahead.
By Pilot.
Everton’s team is unchanged for the visit to Middlesbrough on Saturday. Watson continues at left half, as the captain Thomson, is still unfit. The eleven, which will make the journey via Harrogate is: - Sagar; Cook, Greenhalgh; Mercer, Jones (Tom), Watson; Gillick, Bentham, Lawton, Stevenson, Boyes. The Blues retained their two points league lead over Wolverhampton Wanderers by beating Leicester City 4-0 at Goodison Park yesterday, when we had the smallest attendance at the ground for a league match in 40 years. Only 7,317 paid for admission. Everton won comfortably against a City who played bravely in trying to avoid the inevitable. From the moment the Blues took the lead in 15 minutes Leicester rarely looked as if they could save a point, despite traces of easing up on the part of the Blues. The League leaders established their superiority, and then coasted along confidently to their win, which keeps the challenging Wolves at bay. My one grumble was that Everton did not pull out just a little bit more towards righting their goal-average, which received such a knock by the recent seven goals. The goal-average of the Wolves is immeasurably superior. It was the strength of Everton’s defence that paved the way for the win, for the City showed promise in the opening stages. The highlights of the game were the brilliance of Sagar in the Everton goal, the scoring by full back Greenhalgh of his first-ever goal for Everton, the power of the intermediary section, and the cleverness of the Boyes-Stevenson wing, which produced the first two goals. Lawton took the fourth goal a minute from time after a fine run by Mercer, this being the international’s first goal for six matches. This was a sound team victory, which again demonstrated the football arts of Watson. Jones was soundness itself, and Mercer worked tremendously hard. Lawton demonstrated that he is getting back to his best form, and the quick thrusts of Bentham and Gillick always spelled “danger” to the City. Cook and Greenhalgh tackled and kicked well.
Irish “Caps” For Everton Players.
Willie Cook and Alex Stevenson, of Everton, have been selected to play for Ireland against Wales in the international match at Wrexham on Wednesday. Cook will skipper the Irish side –and from his correct position of right-back. In recent internationals Cook has been played on the left, but this time newcomer Butler, of Blackpool plays on the left. Stevenson, at inside left for Everton goes inside-right for the Irishmen to admit Doherty on the left. My congratulations to both players. Stevenson will be receiving his 16th “cap” and Cook his 13th.
Everton Support.
Everton have decided to nominate Mr. W. C. Cuff their director and ex-chairman, for the position of president of the Football league. Mr. Cuff, who was chairman of the club up to the end of last season, was originally nominated by Liverpool, and many other clubs have signified their intention of supporting him. He is at present acting-president of the League. The other candidate is Mr. Brook Hirst, of Huddersfield Town. Everton have also decided to give wholehearted support to the nomination of the Liverpool Chairman Mr. Will Harrop, as a member of the League Management Committee.
• Wolves beat Middlesbrough, scoring six past the Aryesome Park defence.

EASY FOR EVERTON.
March 9, 1939. The Liverpool Echo
By Stork.
I did not expect, Leicester City to be seen in their game with Everton at Goodison, for I heard such a bad report of them following their Anfield game, so you can imagine my surprise when they started to pull out some good football to match that of Everton’s. Sagar had to keep out at least three point-blank range shots, which would have beaten most men, but the Everton goalkeeper was in his most retrenchant mood. He would give nothing away. Everton could not afford to give anything away, for they had to win this game handsomely to keep pace with Wolverhampton who are determined not to let any chance slip through their fingers. Everton certainly improved their goal average, which is still a long way behind that of the Wanderers, but they did not go out to “murder” their opponents.
Lost His Pep.
I thought they treated them rather lightly, for there were many other scoring chances to be taken, and should have been taken. Lawton’s present form is not convincing. If he is not careful he will jeopardize his chances for the Scot’s match. He had lost that “Pep” which made him the terror of the opposition defences. Even allowing for the fact that he has the most difficult task of all the forwards, because of the special attention paid to him, he is not playing nearly so well as two months ago.” Is he feeling the strain of the heavy season? It is only a temporary lapse, but has come at a bad time with Everton making their championship bid. Four goals put the City well out of the reckoning, but we would all like to see Lawton banging em home in his early season fashion.
Greenhalgh’s Honour.
Prior to yesterday he had not scored since he marked up two against Liverpool on February 4. He scored against Leicester in the last minute from a perfect pass by Mercer, but the most popular goal of the day was that scored by Greenhalgh, his first since he joined Everton; and it was not a penalty, the usual full back way of scoring, picked up the ball at the half-way line and started to dribble. Twice he seemed on the point of losing possession, but eventually found himself good for a shot. He tried his luck, and the ball hurtled round the back netting. Stevenson had previously scored a beauty, and Boyes who was the cleverest forward on the field, surprised McLaren by lobbing the ball over his (McLaren’s) head and into the net. Leicester continued to play nice football without ever suggesting that they would break down the Everton defence, and then came Lawton’s goal. The City did not look like a side that had relegation worries which are increasing weekly for their field play was excellent. They passed with surety, and did test Everton rear line by their combination, but near the penalty area they had not the ability to outwit Sagar. The Everton team to meet Middlesbrough at Aryesome Park on Saturday is almost certain to be the same.

EVERTON BID FOR SIXTH “DOUBLE.”
March 10, 1939. The Evening Express.
By Pilot.
Everton will make a bid tomorrow to record their sixth “double” of the season. They face Middlesbrough at Aryesome Park. The Blues have already taken full points from Blackpool, Arsenal, Liverpool, Portsmouth, and Leeds United. In addition the players will be out to retain their two point lead in First Division. Wolverhampton, their chief challengers are engaged in a “Derby” game against Birmingham at St. Andrew’s. Everton field the side which defeated Leicester City on Wednesday. The ‘Borough will be strengthened by the return of inside-left of Benny Yorston, the brilliant Scottish schemer, who has been out owing to injury. Yorston replaces Cochrane, this being the only change. Matches between these sides always produce high-class football. Everton; Sagar; Cook, Greenhalgh; Mercer, Jones, Watson; Gillick, Bentham, Lawton, Stevenson, Boyes. Middlesbrough; Cumming; Brown, Laking; McKenzie, Baxter, Forrest; Chadwick, Mannion, Fenton, Yorston, Milne.
Pilotsports Log
It is possible that Everton, at the conclusion of their German tour in May, will play an extra match at Rotterdam. An offer has been received, and this will be considered by the Everton directors at their meeting on Tuesday. At that meeting also the date for matches will be decided. Games will be played in Berlin, Vienna, Stuggart and Dortmund either on May 7, 14, 18 and 21, or May 14, 18, 21, and 24
Everton Trialists.
Everton are at home in a Central League match against Burnley at Goodison Park tomorrow, and in the “A” team match against U.G.B. (St. Helens) they are giving trials to two young players. They are J. Evans, a 17-year-old goalkeeper on trial from London, and A Johnson, an inside forward from I.C.I Northwich. Everton Reserves; Burnett; Prescott, Lambert; Britton, Edwards, Lindley; Barber, Cunliffe, Catterick, Sharp, Keenan. Everton “A”; J. Evans; Saunders, R Peck; M. Hill, Milligan, Davies (Jack); (from) Sweeney, K. Dean, A. Johnson, McMurray, Hume, F. Griffiths, H. Roberts, Davies (Joe). The “B” team oppose Fazackerley Social prior to the “A” team game at Bellefield, West Derby.

LAWTON OR FENTON
March 10, 1939. The Liverpool Echo
By Stork.
Tomorrow will be testing day for Everton, for are they not in the far North holding an engagement with Middlesbrough, who give little or nothing away at Aryesome Park. The Boro’ opened the season as though they would be challengers for honours when the day of reckoning arrived, but recently they have suffered a slump and are now falling from grace, with little chance of sneaking through on the rails, as it were, to test either Everton or the Wolves. Last year Everton journeyed North and sprang a surprise on the Boro’ by taking a nice win, and they are hoping to do the same this time. Can they do it? Yes, if they will realize the value of the shot, for that is the only reason why they have been failing in recent games. Their general football is good enough for anything. Even when they were being routed by the Wolves in the League game their football was still of good quality, but to good football must be added good shooting if they are to get anything for their endeavour. They played well against the Wolves in the cup. They will play worse and win, but not unless attack is rounded off with shooting.
More Like Normal.
They got back to something more like normal when they defeated Leicester City on Wednesday, but even in that game there were times when they should have scored and didn’t. I am looking forward to this game, because it will enable me to compare Lawton with his rival for a “Scots Cap,” Fenton whom many expect to oust the Everton man from the England team. Fenton is a sharp worker. His speed off the mark takes him places where he can be very dangerous, so the Everton defence must keep a watchful eye on this young man. Lawton, has scored one goal, since the “Derby” game on February 4, whereas he used to score in every match. I may only be temporary lapses, but it is causing us some deep thinking. His bullets have been missing their mark recently and he appears to be laboring, and not the sprightly young man he was a month or two ago, is the strain of his heavy programme, telling on him? He does not seem to be enjoying his game quite to much these days.
Clean Football.
Middlesbrough felt the might of Wolverhampton during the week, but managed to get a goal past that rock like defence. That was an accomplishment for few teams do that nowadays. Middlesbrough have always been one of my favourites teams, for they have ever been noted for their clean football, I can go back to the days of Tim Williamson and George Elliott, and not once have I ever seen then step off the side. They are a fast side, and an entrancing side when in the mood. Will the mood be on them tomorrow? If it should then Everton will have to put up a stout resistance, but you may depend they will do that, for they are all out to win one of the season honours, and the League is the only one left to them now. The same team at the which beat Leicester City will again be on duty, and it may be good enough to take a point from the Boro’. Teams; - Everton; Sagar; Cook, Greenhalgh; Mercer, Jones, Watson; Gillick, Bentham, Lawton, Stevenson, Boyes. Middlesbrough; Cumming; Brown, Laking; McKenzie, Baxter, Forrest; Chadwick, Mannion, Fenton, Yorston, Milne.

COULTER GOES TO CHESTER

Grimsby Daily Telegraph - Saturday 11 March 1939

International Winger Who Played For Grimsby

GRIMSBY TOWN have completed negotiations for the transfer of John Coulter to Chester, the Northern Section club. Coulter joined Grimsby from Everton in October 1937. At the end of the season he was placed on the open to transfer list but he went to Chelmsford —a non-League club. He therefore remained Town s registered League player until yesterday when he was trausfered to Chester for whom he played against Rochdale to-day.

HIS IRISH CAPS

At his best brilliant winger Coulter has been capped a number of times for Ireland for whom he has played both on the wing and at inside left. came into prominence with Belfast Celtic and his first English club was Everton who paid fee i‘4,ooo for him. He played regularly in Everton's League Team until he had the misfortune to break his leg while playing for Ireland.

TRAINER TELLS HOW EVERTON KEEP FREE FROM COLDS
Liverpool Evening Express - Saturday 11 March 1939
How he PREVENTS most colds entirely, and ENDS any that do develop. There have been only two mild cases of influenza in our team during the - Mr. Harry Cooke, recent epidemic. : Everton’s famous the first sign of trainer. a cold being contracted, Vatronol was at once used. Occasionally, however, a stubborn cold persisted. Then I applied Vick Vapour-Rub, bringing instant relief to the player." Follow the same simple plan in your family that the famous trainers use: To Prevent Colds. —At the first warning sniffle or sneeze, quick! put a few drops of Vick-Vatronol brand Nasal Medicament up each nostril. Quickly it relieves the stuffy clogged-up feeling, soothes irritated membranes, and stimulates Nature to throw off the cold before it starts. Used in time, Vick-Vatronol . prevents many colds entirely. To End a Cold Quickly. —lf a cold strikes, massage Vick brand Vapour-Rub . briskly on throat, chest and back. At once Vick starts to work through the. skin like a poultice, while its medicated vapours, breathed into the inflamed air passages, begin to loosen phlegm, break up congestion. By morning, almost always, the worst of the cold is over.,

RAPID FIRE IN GAME OF GASPS
March 11, 1939. The Liverpool Football Echo
Everton Three Down, Draw 4-4.
Lawton Hat-Trick
By Stork.
A great battle –one that seemed out of the reach of Everton, with Middlesbrough leading 3-0. But Everton’s fighting qualities were never more amplined as they were when they went on to draw 4-4. They also had a goal disallowed –a perfectly good goal, too, to my way of thinking. Lawton come back to his real form when scoring his second hat-trick of the season. Everton: - Sagar, goal; Cook (captain) and Greenhalgh, backs; Mercer, Jones and Watson, half-backs; Gillick, Bentham, Lawton, Stevenson, and Boyes, forwards. Middlesbrough: - Cumming, goal; Brown and Laking, backs; McKenzie, Baxter and Forrest, half-backs; Chadwick, Mannion, Fenton, Yorston and Milne, forwards. Referee Mr. H. Raynor (Huddersfield). The first item of news I have to impart is that Archie Clark, the Tranmere Rovers’ half-back, has terminated his contract with the Prenton Club and will return to his native Kent. Everton opened in their usual brilliant style, but a throw-in of the orthodox type led to their downfall I have often urged for a variety in this throw-in business, and when Mercer made one of his short throws Mannion ran in and took the ball. He passed it on to Fenton, who ran through very quickly to deliver a great shot, which Sagar pushed out, but the ball went to Chadwick, who tapped it back into the net after three minutes. This was, indeed a blow to the Everton people but another was to follow very shortly afterwards. Sagar was at faulty when he failed to catch cross from Milne, and he was lucky to get the ball away but the corner which followed gave Middlesbrough a second goal in seven minutes, for Yorston, who has been out of the first team for six weeks made a perfect header to nod home Chadwick’s flag kick.
Greenhalgh Tries Again.
Boyes ran through the Boro’ defence and shot over the bar, and Greenhalgh with the Wednesday goal at the back of his mind, came up to try his luck again, but he was not so fortunate on this occasion. Lawton was offside when Gillick across a fast centre and later he was right through when he shot straight at Cummings. After Cumming had punched away from a free kick by cook, Middlesbrough took their third goal, Milne running in to head the ball from Chadwick’s pass into the net after 32 minutes. McKenzie had found a loophole in the Everton defence, and gave the choices of passes to Chadwick.
Three In Three Minutes.
Everton at last got into something like working order and a lovely movement between Boyes, Lawton and Stevenson, ended in the last named flicking the ball into goal just as he was slipping. Within a minute Lawton had further reduced the lead when he snatched up a free kick taken by Watson to pop the ball into the net. Inside another minute the 39th Fenton had scored a fourth goal for his side Jones had faltered and Mannion nipped in to shoot, Fenton throwing himself headlong at the ball to head into the net. He could not stop his progress, however and went into the upright and was injured.
Half-Time; Middlesbrough 4, Everton 2.
Disputed Everton Point.
Within four minutes of the resumption Everton had put themselves in the game again with a third goal as against the four of Middlesbrough. It came as a result of a corner kick. Gillick took the first kick, but was ordered to retake it for some infringement, and this time he put the ball right through the Middlesbrough goalmouth. Lawton went up for it, and it seemed to me that he had pushed Baxter in the back as he did so. The ball went into the goal. Baxter protested but his complaint went unheeded. It had now developed into a great game, and the Middlesbrough defence was just as easily rattled as the Everton defence had been in the first half hour. Lawton would have equalized had not Mckenzie jumped an inch higher than the Everton man.
Everton Battle On.
Fenton was injured and Yorston went centre forward. Everton were on top this half, and with the slightest bit of luck they would have gone ahead. Boyes was almost through and was only foiled by a superlative save by Cummings. Then Cook carried the ball up among his forwards and centred, Boyes nodding the ball down but Brown was able to clear. Lawton offered Stevenson a chance the like of which is rarely missed, but this was the one occasion it was. Everton were battling strongly.
Thrilling Finish.
We through they had got one when Stevenson netted after Cumming had pushed out a Lawton header, but the referee upon being asked to consult a linesman disallowed the goal. The Everton players all rushed back to the centre of the field congratulating each other, and I could see nothing wrong with the goal. But within two minutes they got the equaliser, Lawton nodding in Gillick’s corner-kick seven minutes from the end. This was Lawton’s second hat-trick of the season. It had been a great flight, and Everton had staged a marvelous rally to wipe out a three goal lead. Final; Middlesbrough 4, Everton 4.
Scoring Reel; Chadwick 3 minutes; Yorston 7 minutes; Milne 32 minutes; Stevenson 37 minutes; Lawton 38 minutes; Fenton 39 minutes; Lawton 49 minutes; Lawton 83 minutes.
• Everton today were represented in Scotland by Mr. Hunter Hart, the assistant secretary. His mission was Caskie, the St. Johnstone winger. St. Johnstone in rather a poor way financially, offered Caskie to Everton and were prepared to release him at any moment. Mr. Hart will report at Tuesday’s meeting.

LEAVES FROM MY NOTEBOOK
March 11, 1939. The Liverpool Echo
By Ranger.
It seems harking back rather a long way to recall Everton’s league match with Wolves. Most Everton followers want to forget it, but the Blues’ display in that game was the subject of a letter in the Times a few days ago which was so striking that even at this late stage it is worthy quoting. After eulogisting the wonderful play of Wolverhampton, the writer, which hides his identity under the nom-de-plume “Onlooker,” goes on to say: - “This phase of a historic game Wolves speed, and skill has been freely commented on, but I wish to draw attention to another, no less important aspect of it, which has been mentioned but has not received the attention which it deserved. I refer to the magnificent spirit in which Everton played throughout the game. They were always trying to play good constructive football, never once did they lose their temper or resort to unfair play; they accepted the decisions of the referee without comment or complaint, and two of the goals scored against them were close to offside; and they fought to the bitter end. It is not a pleasant experience for the leaders of the championship to be beaten by seven clear goals on their opponent’s ground, but they took their gruel like men. “I think that it is not an exaggeration to say that the way in which Everton carried themselves throughout the game was worthy of the traditions of the great Corinthians teams of the past. It is encouraging to see that those traditions are finding their way into professional football, and so long as the country can continue to turn out young men who can carry themselves in this way, we have nothing to fear from the totalitarian States or any other form of Government. This is a tribute of which Everton, players, officials and supporters alike may well be proud.

EVERTON PLANS FOR WINNING LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP
March 11, 1939. The Liverpool Echo
Clear Of Cup-Ties, Bent On Clinging To Slender Lead
Wolverhampton’s Challenge
By Stork.
Well, Everton are out of the Cup. They went out with flag flying to what is considered the best team in the country at the present moment, and no excuses are being made other than that Wolvehampton were left off in the first half, when chances were there for the taking. The Wanderers, having prevented the honour from coming to Merseyside, are eager to stand in the way of another, and there is a danger that they may administer a further blow to Everton’s ambition. They are keeping up the chase with the League leaders in no half-hearted manner, and now that Derby County have practically ceased to be a menace, the winning of the championship becomes a two-team race. Both Everton and Wolverhampton Wanderers have a difficult card to face up to, and by a curious turn of fortune’s wheel they have to meet the same team’s (through in reverse) in their remaining fixture; but the Wolves have the added weight of Cup-ties. That factor must not be lost sight of for it may prove the rock on which Wolverhampton may spirit. They are out for the “double” and no team has ever appeared more likely to bringing it off since the days Preston North End accomplished the feat many years ago. This team of youthful resource a team of unbounded confidences, does not look like cracking; in fact, they seem to go from strength to strength, but there is generally a breaking point. The Cup may be won, but it may be at the cost of the League. Everton, with their Cup decks cleared, realize whence the League danger will come, but are not going to bank on the slip of their rivals, but be up and doing on their own account. The Wolves do not look as through they will make many mistakes between now and the beginning of May, so it behoves Everton to make every post a winning post. They have a lot of leeway to make up in the matter of goal average. But don’t let us overlook the fact that they are still two points in front of the Wanderers. Two points may not appear to be much, but a bird in the hands is better than two in the bush. They have those two points in safe keeping, the Wolves have got to win theirs, and they will take some winning, for every club in the League is out to beat them. It was ever thus. When Arsenal were looked upon as the winder team it was the special mission of every club in the land to peg them back. It was their one ambition; nothing else mattered so long as they beat the all-conquering Arsenal. It is a peculiar tart we have to see the mighty fallen. It obtains in boxing, cricket, aye, every manner of sport. Wolverhampton know they are not a greatly-loved team, outside the confines of the Midlands, but that does not worry them; they go on their way rejoicing picking up points whereas they go. At home the Wolves are well nigh impregnable. The mud of Molineux is worth its weight in gold, whether it is nature’s work or whether it is the work of the grounds men. But from now on we can look forward to lighter grounds, and as the Wolves have still five away games to play they may find the altered conditions against their style of play. Everton have played their best games on firm going. Early in the season they impressed by their artistry, far in advance of anything the Wolves have produced, and should the grounds become more like football pitches and nothing bathing-pools. I feel it will give them a decided advantage over their nearest rivals. It is said that the Wanderers play quite as well on solid earth. Well, their record does not suggest it, for while the grounds were firm they had a lean time. It was not until they became heavy that they came out of their shell. Had they started right, they would now have been a safe bet for the Championship. Up to the time of meeting Everton at Goodison Park they had not won many points, but they have come along by leaps and bounds ever since. Everton, however, have never been out of the first two from the opening day of the season. Derby County displaced them for some weeks, but they are back at the top. Their hold on the topmost place is only slender; I know which means that they cannot afford to make even one slip. Nor for that matter, can the Wolves afford to slip into errors. It is an intriguing problem, and he would be a brave man who would dare stake his life on either one or the other side being this year’s champions. There is still a long road to travel, and there are had patches here and there. Easter time is one of them.

FOUR FOR LAWTON
Middlesbrough 4 Everton 4 (Game 1678 over-all)-(Div 1 1636)
March 13 1939. Liverpool Daily Post
By Stork
Everton gave Middlesbrough a three goals’ start at Aryesome Park caught up with them and drew 4-4. With the score 4-3 Everton scored what appeared to be a perfectly good goal which the referee disallowed after a linesman had waved his flag. Such a blow was enough to knock the spirited out of Everton, but no they set about their task with renewed enthusiasm and gained the equalizer. So Everton took one of the most valuable points they will ever get. I have not been so thrilled for months. The game was a trill a minute, and 1 point and 3 goals were scored in a space of 3 minutes. Middlesbrough, with their scoring forward line, took what most of us thought was a safe lead of 3 goals in the first half-hour during which time the Everton defence had failed to keep a grip on the North-Eastern forwards. Three goals down in 30 minutes, with Middlesbrough playing with the power to add to that number did not forecast any hope for Everton. They did not seem likely to do any material damage as they could no ‘’find’’ their men the ball was too often offered to the Middlesbrough defenders and the half-backs over kicked their own forwards. The outlook to say the least, of it, was dismal. Then came a surprise spate of goals 2 to Everton and 1 to Middlesbrough and Everton were in the game for the first time.
It was sensational.
No one expected such a thing to happen. Up to those hectic three minutes Everton had never suggested goals, whereas Middlesbrough had a more to follow’’ look about them. So instead of Everton taking the interval respite with quaking hearts they felt quite happy about things. Never have Everton shown such fighting quality as in the second half. They knew that a defeat might let up. Wolverhampton and were determined not to let the Midlanders have it all their own way. They fought magnificently in the last half, and got so much on top that the Middlesbrough defence was plainly upset. They had a fairly comfortable time in the first half and had not expected the Everton forwards to fight back as they did. Everton surprised me and every one of the thousands of people present. With their defence tightened up and the forwards getting the ball in a more tamable manner, they were for the most part situated in or around the Middlesbrough penalty line, and it seemed only a matter of time before the home defence capitulated. The score were brought to Middlesbrough 4 Everton 3. What a battle than became- Everton hot on the trail of that all important equaliser; Middlesbrough fighting to retain, the lead. But the odds at this point were all in favour of the visitors, who were staging a wonderful recovery. They would not be denied. On they swept, and the Ayresome boys had to at last give way to the more superior force. Everton rose in their might and when Cumming pushed out. A Lawton header Stevenson picked up the clearance and swept the ball back into the net. Every voice-friend and foe alike-shouted ‘’Goal’’. The Everton players rushed back to the centre of the field congratulating each other on equalising. A linesman meanwhile was ousily waving his flag no one seemed to know, not even the referee who had signaled goal. He was approached to see the linesman and upon his word altered his decision. Several Everton players protested but he refused to listen. His explanation was not known until after the game, when he said the linesman had waved Boyes offside some little time previously. How anyone could be offside with the ball played by the goalkeeper I do not know. It was as good a goal as I have ever seen. The goal would have leveled matters. You there fore see the importance of having it nullified. There was only a matter of minutes left to play.
Could Everton save the day?
They deserved to do, but such a decision might have had an upsetting effect. Fortunately it did not, for they set themselves out for the equalizer and took it seven minutes from the end, Lawton beaten Cummins with a header. A magnificent finish to a wonderful game in which Everton proved beyond all doubt that they could fight back when the need demands. Everyone gave Stevenson Everton’s first goal, whereas it was Lawton. The Irishman explained en route for home that he had not touched the ball, although he attempted to do so. It looked a million to one chance that he had and some of his colleagues thought so to, but one must accept his version. No doubt his action in attempting to play the ball was the cause of Cumming’s downfall. It got him in two minds. It was a nice gesture on the part of Stevenson to admit that he did not score, so that the whole four goals go to Lawton, who therefore outshined his first League Hat-trick for Everton, although he scored one in the Cup tie against Doncaster. The game enabled me to compare Lawton with Fenton, who are challenges for inclusion in the English team against Scotland. The Everton centre has had a lean time recently, but he came back to his best at Middlesbrough. In the early part of the game he got no proper passes, but which he did he showed how deadly he can be. It was his match with four goals in his bag, but he did more than score goals, he kept the line moving well after the first half-hour, when the Everton defence was on trail, and none too secure. There were faults when the first two goals were scored against them. Middlesbrough were a fast and clever side in the first half and may claim they were unfortunate when Fenton was injured and had to go on the wing, but as against that Mercer was a cripple in the second half, and could hardly hobble along. He stood up to his guns, however, and helped in this great performance. Jones was not up to his usual high standard, and Cook was often easily beaten by Yorkton and Milne, but I am not going to quibble about any player of a side which can do what Everton did at Middleborough. Result Middlesbrough 4 Everton 4 Middlesbrough:- Cumming goal, Brown and Laking, backs, McKenzie, Baxter, and Forrest, half-backs, Chadwick, Mannion, Fenton, Yorston, and Milne, forwards. Everton:- Sagar, goal, Cook (capatin), and Greenhalgh, backs, Mercer, Jones, and Watson, half-backs, Gillick, Bentham, Lawton, Stevenson and Boyes forward. Referee Mr. H.Raynot (Huddersfield)

CENTRAL LEAGUE
Everton Reserves 3 Burnley Reserves 1
March 13 1939. The Liverpool Daily Post
Central League (Game 34)
Everton were good winners of a game in which much good football was spoiled by the state of the ground. For the home side Burnett Prescott and Lambert played well in defence, which in a splendid middle line. Britton and Lindsay were outstanding; Cunliffe and Sharp were the best Forwards and seemed to revel in the mud. Van Rensbury kept goal well for the visitors, but was sadly at faulty when Everton opened the score, Chester and Matthews were sound backs, while Garner was the most prominent half-backs. Britton, Keenan and Cunliffe scored for Everton and Hurst relied.
Everton team, Burnett goal, Prescott, and Lambert backs Britton Edwards and Barber half-backs, Cunliffe, Catterick, Sharp, and Kennan forwards.

LIVERPOOL COUNTY LEAGUE
Everton’’A’’ 2 U.G.B (St Helens) 1
March 13 1939. The Liverpool Daily Post
At sandforth road. The visitors put up strong resistance, and it was only in the late stage that Everton, who piled on pressure score the winning goal through Davies. U.G.B had the better of the early play and scored though Platt. Evans, Everton’s goalkeeper on trial saved splendid shots. The vesting defence kept the home side at bay until the interval, when Hume netted. The mud covered ground was against good play but both sides fought gallantly, and Everton were fortunate to win
Everton Team from :- Evans (j), goal, (17 year old from London amateur), Saunders, and Peck (m), backs Hill Milligan, and Davies (jack), half-backs, Sweeney, Dean (k), Johnson (h), (ici northwich), McMurray, hume, Griffiths Roberts (h), Davies (Joe). Placed 1st, played 22, won 18, lost 3, draw 1, for 77 against 28 points 37

EVERTON’S FIGHTING SPIRIT
March 13, 1939. The Liverpool Echo
By Stork.
A disallowed goal prevented Everton from winning at Middlesbrough and the season given for the altered decision was on the word of a linesman, for the referee had signaled a goal, a goal which would have leveled the score at 4 all. Everyone with the exception of the linesman thought it was a perfect goal, and the referee was close enough to the incident to be sure in his own mind that Stevenson had scored a good and legitimate goal. The linesman’s explanation was that he “flagged” Boyes offside. Did you ever hear of such a thing? The ball came back to Stevenson from goalkeeper Cummings who had punched the ball out from Lawton’s header. Such a decision was enough to upset any side, especially one fighting for an equaliser, and with only a matter of minutes remaining for play. If Everton had lost this game through that verdict it would have been tragic, for they had staged a wonderful rally to wipe out a three goals deficit.
What An Outlook.
Fortunately they got an equaliser a few minutes later, which means that they virtually won the game, but only one point goes down to their credit. It could not have been a more vital point in view of what happened at Birmingham, for it gives them a three-points lead over the Wolves. As I sat through the first half-hour, with Middlesbrough sweeping their way through the Everton defence, I could see nothing else but a sound defeat ahead, for they were doing anything but suggest that they would hit back. They were being hammered, and their defence was uncertain. What an outlook! Chadwick, Yorston, and Milne had beaten Sagar, whereas Cumming had little dangerous work –a Lawton, shot fired straight at him; that was about all. With three goals in arrears could you blame us if we felt doleful? Three goals will win most games, but this was an exceptional game, for Everton took 2 goals in two minutes to get in touch with their opponents, but the Boro’ got another a minute later, and we were almost as badly placed as before. But Everton had plumbed the depths of Middlesbrough’s defence during those few minutes, and found it only a hallow. They decided to wade through them the second half, and almost reached the other side without any further mishaps. The defence was not fruitless when Middlesbrough took their three goals, but it was tightened up afterwards, and never again did the Boro run through their ranks as they had done. The boot was on the other foot it was Everton who did all the running, and they almost snatched a victory. Another five minutes and I fancy they would have done it. Alec Stevenson put us wise in the journey home as to the scoring of Everton’s first goal. He was named all round the ground as the scorer, but he explained that although he attempted to play the ball he failed to make contact so the goal belonged to Lawton. It was a nice gesture on his part to admit it. His endeavour to play the ball must have bamboozled Cumming, the goalkeeper. Thus Lawton scored all four goals, putting up his second League “hat-trick,” for Everton. He was in great form, and dug himself well into the England team to meet Scotland. Fenton, one of his rivals for the position, scored one goal and injured himself in doing so, for he crashed into the upright. He was on the wing for the remainder of the day, but in this form, Lawton must retain his place as England’s leader, and never mind about Westcott and Steele. Lawton has been tried, and enable rusted. His first “trick” was also against the Borough. Everton were present at the St. Johnstone-St. Mirren match on Saturday to watch Caskie, St. Johnstone winger, who scored two goals. St. Johnston who are none too well placed financially informed Everton that they were prepared to let Caskie go, and Mr. Hunter Hart was detailed to watch him. His report will be considered at tomorrow’s board meeting.

EVERTON HAVE THE SPIRIT TO WIN THE TITLE
March 13, 1939. The Evening Express.
Factor That Turned The Tide At Ayresome
Lawton Scored All Four Goals.
By Pilot.
Everton have only to reproduce the fighting spirit shown at Aryesome Park on Saturday, when, after being three goals down they drew 4-4, to make sure of the championship of the First Division. They have a clear lead of three points over Wolverhampton and a rather easier programme. The Blues have a wonderful record, for they have dropped only three points, at home and have gained a point for each away match. This is championship form. Here is a story which reflects the real Everton spirit. Every player official and spectator through Stevenson had scored the opening goal for the Blues against the ‘Borough. Not until we got into the train coming home did we know that Lawton scored it and so secured all four goals –for the first time since he joined Everton, apart from four while playing for the Football league in Ireland. Stevenson said that when Lawton headed the ball forward he and Cumming, the home goalkeeper, went for it. In so doing both missed the ball and it went into the net. “I did not touch it” said Stevenson, “although it must have appeared that I did. No, the goal was Tommys.”
A Contrast.
The fight back of the Blues was in direct contrast to the failing away at Wolves, the previous week, and the rally emphasized what a vital cog in the Everton machine is Tom Jones. In the first half hour he could not get to grips with the ‘Borough forwards. The ground seemed trouble him, and Chadwick, Yorston, and Milne scored –aided y uncertainty on the part of Sagar. Then Jones settled to his game, and the entire defence tightened up so well that Middlesbrough gradually faded out, and the Blues went forward to an achievement equal on merit to a victory. The fact that after making the scores 3-2 only to see Fenton score a fourth for the Borough and not damp the spirit of the Blues. They had secured a grip on the game and never relinquired it. The Borough suffered because of an injury to Fenton, but even so they were fortunate not to lose, for Stevenson scored what in my opinion was a good goal, which the referee awarded but then changed to a free kick on a linesman’s advice. After the match the linesman mentioned to me that Boyes had been offside five minutes before. Those are his own word and I leave it at that. Everton have not put up a better performance for years, and in the circumstances it would be unfair to individualize. Every man pulled his full weight after opening uncertainly. I must mention that Lawton was right back to his best form both in effectiveness and leadership. Mercer, too deserves a word for he was injured throughout the second half and yet battled on bravely. It is expected that he will be fit for Saturday. Yes, a great team victory which augers well for the Blues title aspirations.
Everton And Caskie -The Fact.
The Scottish “shop window dressers” are busy again. The cute Scots realize as well as well as every-one else that closing day for transfer deals in England is Thursday. I suspect a little propaganda behind the story sent out that Everton “had practically completed negotiations for the trainer of Caskie, of St. Johnstone.” I can tell you that negotiations have not even been started, let alone nearly completed. Mr. Ernest Green, chairman of Everton, told me the real story about it. Last season Everton watched Caskie on numerous occasions, but St. Johnstone would not part. Then Everton signed on Wally Boyes –and an excellent signing too. Cashier was forgotten, but last week St. Johnstone sent word to say that because they needed money they would be prepared to receive offers for him. Everton decided to send Mr. Hunter Hart up to have a look at Caskie, who has been playing exceptionally well. Mr. Hart had no powers and it was one of those “review” visits. His report goes before the directors tomorrow night at their weekly meeting.
Newcomers Not Needed.
As a matter of fact, I doubt whether Everton will make any signings during this rush period. Mr. Green is against signing on new men. He told me so. “We have a grand team with the best spirit in the world,” he said. “Why should we upset that team by importing expensive newcomers.” “We were knocked out of the Cup, I know, but we hold a lead of three points in the First division. Could anyone ask for more? “Further, and this is a most important point with me, we have set out to develop young talent and great progress has been, made this season. I could name many fine young players on our books who are merely waiting for the chance to step up. “If we imported ready-made players it would mean those good lads who have Everton t heart being pushed back. “No, I prefer standing by the many good players and promising young lads we have to spending big money for players, which at best, is a speculative business. It is an opinion I respect I know only too well how many fine young juniors have become totally disheartened because they have never been given the chance of making good.
Developing?
It is probable that Everton will extend their nursery scheme shortly. Mr. Theo Kelly, the secretary, mentioned to me that the club was delighted with the success of the “B” team this season. It has enabled Everton to take boys leaving school and bring them along on the right line. He dropped a hint that the club may make further experiments on similar lines next season. This is a great idea, for it means that local boys will have the chance of making good with the big clubs, and it results in considerable saving in transfer fees.
Scots Were There
Two of the Scottish international selectors saw Everton’s match at Middlesbrough –Messars, Martin and Graham. They had eyes on Gillick, Baxter and McKenzie. Jock Thomson cracked a good joke about it on our way home. He said to Mr. Green, “I hope you told them that I was injured.” This is typical of this big-hearted player. There was great excitement when the result of the Birmingham –Wolves match was read out in the boardroom at Aryesome Park. Mr. Theo Kelly broke even time to the dressing room, and when he told then lads they let out a cheer which would have led one to believe they had won the Cup, the League Grand National, and the Doggetts Coat and Badge.

EVERTON AND SCOTTISH PLAYER
March 14 1939. The Liverpool Daily Post
By John Peel
Everton were represented at the St Johnstone-St Mirren match on Saturday, to watch Caskie St Johnstone winger, who scored two goals. St Johnstone, who we none-to-well placed financially informed Everton that they were prepared to left Caskie go, and Mr. Hunter Hart was curtailed to watch him has report will be considered at to-night’s meeting of the directors.

HAT-TRICK FOR EVERTON.
March 15 1939 Liverpool Daily Post
B y John Peel
Although Everton have failed in their FA Cup quest, the Goodison Park Club is in an excellent position to record a ‘’Hat-trick’’ of championships this season. Gaining a point at Middlesbrough while Wolves, their nearest rivals were losing at Birmingham, the Everton side consolidated their place at the head of the table. They have now secured 45 points from 32 matches their being 3 points more than Wolverhampton. The Everton “A” eleven champions of the Liverpool Country combination are again well placed to retain the honour their success over UGB (St Helen) keeping them at head of their division with a 2 point lead over Skersadle United. The newly formed Everton B team has already secured the championship of the Bootle J.O.C League (Division 111) without dropping a point, and of new only require the first and ‘’A’’ team to maintain their present position to make it a hat-trick.

EVERTON AS USUAL
March 15 1939. The Liverpool Daily Post
By John Peel
The Everton team chosen last night to entertain Birmingham, whom they disposed of in the reply fifth round FA cup-tie at Goodison Park will be the same as had done duty in their last three games. Thus Watson will continue at left half-back in place of the injured captain Thomson

MR KELLY TO MEET ST.JOHNSTONE OFFICALS
March 15 1939. The Liverpool Daily Post
By John Peel
At their meeting last night, Everton discussed the question of signing Caskie the St Johnstone outside left, with the result that Mr. Kelly the Everton secretary travels to Perth to-day the Daily Post understands, to interview the officials of St Johnstone, the Scottish League Club with regard to the possibility of securing Caskie. Everton have been interested in this play for some two years and the Goodison Park officials feel that it they can secure his services. He will prove a valuable acquisition to the Central League eleven. The club has no intention of making any changes them to the first division but to have a player like Caskie on the books is considered a wise move. Last season Everton watched Caskie, on several occasions when they were in search of a left winger but secured Boyes, from West Bromwich Albion instead and this player has proved his worth in the League team. These days Everton are dispending on the young talent they have in their reserve strength for the first team call and are developing as has been proved by the success of such players as, Mercer Watson Bentham, and others who have came from the Central League team.

EVERTON NEGOTIATIONS FOR ST. JOHNSTONE WINGER
March 15, 1939. Evening Express
Mr. Theo Kelly’s Visit To Perth.
By Pilot.
Everton tonight will open negotiations for the transfer to the Blues of Jimmy Caskie, the St. Johnston wing forward, who was watched by the Goodison club on Saturday. The directors of the club received the report last night and decided that Secretary Mr. Theo Kelly should go to Perth today to ascertain whether there was any possibility of a transfer. Everton have not been anxious to make any signings and it is certain that they will not pay a fancy fee for Caskie. “I am going North to discuss the question of transfer,” said Mr. Kelly, “but Everton will not pay and ridiculous prices.” Caskie, who plays outside left or right, is one of the smallest wingers in football, being 5ft 2 ½ ins, and 10st 7lbs. He joined St. Johnstone from Ashfield, a junior team and last season played for the Scottish league. Up to this season he played at outside left –Everton watched him several times last year –but this term he has been playing on the right. Caskie would be an acquisition. Everton make no team changes for their match at Goodison Park on Saturday against Birmingham, the conquerors of the Wolves. Everton; Sagar; Cook, Greenhalgh; Mercer, Jones, Watson; Gillick, Bentham, Lawton, Stevenson, Boyes. Everton travel to Preston North End on Saturday in a Central league match.

EVERTON TO DISCUSS TERMS FOR CASKIE WITH ST. JOHNSTONE
March 15, 1939. The Liverpool Echo
Mr. Theo Kelly En Route Today
Ranger’s Notes.
Following the offer made to Everton by St. Johnstone to transfer Caskie, their outside left which was considered by the board at last night’s meeting, Mr. Theo Kelly, the Everton secretary, travelled North today to interview the players and officials of St. Johnstone. Everton were interested in Caskie over twelve months ago, but when they signed Boyes from West Bromwich their interest waned. The board, however, feel that the St. Johnstone man would be a good investment at a reasonable figure, though there is no intention to make any change in the side which has done so well this season. Everton are pursuing a policy of giving their reserve men an opportunity whenever possible, and the success of Bentham and Watson this season has proved its wisdom. Mr. Kelly’s journey does not necessarily signify that the deal will go through. Everton have fixed a price to which they are prepared to go. It now remains to see whether St. Johnstone will take it. For the League game at Goodison on Saturday against Birmingham, Everton will play the side which has done duty in the last three matches namely: - Sagar; Cook, Greenhalgh; Mercer, Jones, Watson; Gillick, Bentham, Lawton, Stevenson, Boyes. The Central League side to visit Preston North End will be: - Burnett; Lambert, Jackson; Britton, Edwards, Lindley; Barber, Cunliffe, Catterick, Sharp, Keenan.

CAPES FOR EVERTONIANS
March 16 1939. The Liverpool Daily Post
Notes Only
Jones captain Wales against Ireland, Stevenson and Cook who was captain for Ireland in front of 23,997. Wales won 3-1.

EVERTON AND CASKIE
March 16, 1939. The Liverpool Echo
Ranger’s Notes.
Yesterday produced half a dozen last minutes transfers, but nothing like the spate of movement we had at this time last season. At the moment of writing Mr. Theo Kelly is still in negotiation in Glasgow with Caskie and St. Johnstone regarding the former’s transplantation to Goodison Park. I am expecting definite news later in the day.
Plymouth’s centre-forward Hullett formerly of Everton and New Brighton, who has gone to Manchester United. Hullett joined the Southern side 18 months ago and when he started off this season with a spate of goals he was much sought by senior clubs.

EVERTON NEW STAR'S ARRIVAL
Liverpool Evening Express - Friday 17 March 1939
Jimmy Caskie, Everton’s new £3,000 star outside left from St. Johnstone, will arrive in Liverpool on Monday. It is expected that he will make his debut in the Blues' colours at Goodison Park on Saturday, March 25, in the Central League game against Stoke City. Everton have rearranged Central League game against Aston Villa at Villa Park on Monday, and on Wednesday, at Goodison Park, the semi-final of the Welsh Senior Cup between South Liverpool and Chester will be played.

CASKIE SIGN’S IN
March 17 193. The Liverpool Daily Post
By John Peel
Some fine wing players who have not boasted any great height have assisted Everton in the past. Notably Beare and Troup, but probably fanny Walden was the smallest and lightest of the little men who formerly delighted spectators where ever spurs played. He stand’s 5ft 4 inches and weight 9 stone 6lbs. Caskie who it is belief will prove an attraction at Everton. Stands 5 feet 3 inches and weights 10st 5lbs. This stockily-built player has earned high praise in the past for his craft and ought to prove a fine addition to the staff as a reserve force. Caskie, who is 24 has been six seasons with St Johnson, joining them in his 18 year from the Glasgow junior club. Ashfield he broke his ankle in a Scottish junior international in his first season, and was laid up most of the following winter. In his fourth season with the Perth club he made grade as first team regular and has since made himself one of the most captivating wingers north of the border. During the last two season prior to this he made 59 league appearances in the first team and scored 9 goals. He entered reprehensive football last season at Ibrox for the Scottish League against the Football League. Caskie was married only a fortnight ago, and has only just settled down in his new home at Glasgow.
He is a draughtsman.
All season Everton have been served well by Boyes and Gillick on the wings and no doubt they will continue to do so, but the club felt that the acquisition of Caskie at a reasonable price would be a wise move and a sgaeguard for the future, particularly as he can play equally well on either wing. The fee is stated to be in the region of £3,500

WATCH BIRMINGHAM
March 17, 1939. Liverpool Echo
By Stork.
Everton have got a fighting spirit these days. It was not always so, for I can recall the day when a goal deficit shock them to the very roots.
Doubts At Rest.
Lawton had a quiet spell, for some weeks, and I began to wonder whether he was getting a little stale. It can happen to the best of us, you know. Well he soon put my doubts at rest by scoring four goals, and playing more like the Tommy Lawton we knew in the earlier part of the season. Those who talk of Fenton, Westcott and Steele as likely to put him out of the England team for the Scots match, will have to keep their tongue between their teenth for Lawton clearly demonstrated that he has got over his lean patch by his four goals and his general field play. I have never had any doubt about his inclusion, for the F.A. are not likely to forget what he has already done in international games. The Birmingham goalkeeper will have to be on his toes tomorrow, for I know Lawton is out to once again top the goal scorers list. He is a goal behind the leader Fenton, at the moment.
In False Position.
From what I have seen of Birmingham this season they are in a false position in the League. They play clever football, and all that has been lacking has been their weakness in front of goal. They must have improved in that respect since I saw them, for only good marksman can put these goals into the Wolves net, for the Wanderers have one of the finest defences in the land. Well, we will see whether Birmingham have improved since they met Everton. Their football that day was high class but they missed the all-important point of the game; the ball in the net. If forwards will not take their chances they must not blame the opposition and that goes for all teams. Everton; Sagar; Cook, Greenhalgh; Mercer, Jones, Watson; Gillick, Bentham, Lawton, Stevenson, Boyes. The Reserve team at Preston is: Burnett; Lambert, Jackson; Britton, Edwards, Lindley; Barber, Cunliffe, Catterick, Sharp, Keenan.

VITAL ISSUES IN TOMORROW’S GOODISON GAME
March 17, 1939. The Evening Express.
Everton’s Title Hopes.
By Pilot.
Three points ahead and ten matches to go –five home and five away. This is the position of Everton in regard to the championship of the First Division. In the race for the honour, Everton and their rivals, Wolverhampton Wanderers, have left “the field” behind. Derby County, leaders for so long, are now three points behind Wolves, but they have played a match more, and, in my opinion, Charlton Ath constitutes the chief danger. One thing is certain. If Everton are to win the League then they must not drop another point at home. So far they have averaged a point for each away game and dropped three points at home. ‘I expect them to preserve their lead tomorrow, when they oppose their cup rivals, Birmingham, at Goodison Park. Wolves, at home to Manchester United, should also in and so keep in line. Everton will have memories of the two recent cup battles with Birmingham who are bottom of the League. Everton drew 2-2 at St. Andrews’s and won the replay 2-1, thanks to Cook’s late penalty. I think the Blues will win more convincingly tomorrow. Birmingham did Everton a good turn, last week by beating Wolves at St. Andrew’s, and the same eleven will do duty, so that Wilson Jones, formerly of Wrexham, leads the line. Birmingham are fighting tooth and nail to escape relegation, and they cannot afford to drop points, because doing so must mean a return to the second Division, from which they rose in 1921. Everton; Sagar; Cook, Greenhalgh; Mercer, Jones, Watson; Gillick, Bentham, Lawton, Stevenson, Boyes. Birmingham: - Clack; Trigg, Hughes; Dearson, Turner, Shaw (J); Brown, Jennings, Jones (W.), Harris, Morris.

EVERTON PUNCH DECIDES
March 18, 1939. The Liverpool Football Echo
League Leaders Keep It Up
Two For Lawton
By Stork.
Birmingham gave Everton a stiff task. Their football was good, but without punch near goal. Everton were superior in this respect, which made the difference. Everton; Sagar, goal; Cook (captain) and Grenhalgh, backs; Mercer, Jones (Tom), and Watson, half-backs; Gillick, Bentham, Lawton, Stevenson, and Boyes, forwards. Birmingham; Clack, goal; Trigg and Hughes, backs; Dearson, Turner, and Shaw (J), half-backs; Brown, Jenning, Jones (W.), Harris, Morris, forwards. Referee Mr. W. J. Lewington (Croydon). Birmingham made a strong bid for the lead in the first minute when Morris drifted over to the inside-right position and with no one close at hand he hit a ferocious shot on to the angle of the crossbar, the ball flying high in the air and out of play. Gillick from inside left, tried a shot which was off the mark. Lawton “placed” Bentham for a goal, the inside right being just a shade late, so that a Birmingham defender took Lawton’s pass. Gillick tried a shot from the outside penalty line, and Clack had to be quick to keep the ball out. Lawton once more made an opening for Bentham. Gillick could have taken it almost as easily, and this fact perhaps as easily, and this fact perhaps upset the whole of the plot, for Bentham was ultimately robbed when a goal was there for the asking. Birminghams field play was quite good, but Everton were always the more dangerous and Bentham had yet another chance when he was only a few yards out, but he could not get the ball down, and his shot travelled towards the outside left position, Boyes racing in, but he was unsuccessful. Birmingham’s failing was in front of goal. Jones went to outside left and centred to the foot of Jennings, who was less than ten yards out. He lifted the ball high over the bar from a “sitter” position.
Three In Three Minutes.
Up to this point the game had been rather quiet but then came three minutes of riotous goal scoring which was started by Birmingham for whom Harris scored at 26 minutes. Brown paved the way and Harris swept in his centre. Within a minute the score were level, Lawton nodding home a centre by Cook who had run up the right flank. Everton put on pressure, and Triggs the Birmingham full back, lobbed the ball back and it travelled over the head of the advancing Clack. As good a goal as any forward has ever scored, but for some reason it was disallowed. This is the second goal Everton had disallowed in successive games. Fortunately, it did not matter a great real, for at 28 minutes, Gillick ran into the goalmouth and tapped through a centre from the left, so that three goals had been scored in three minutes. Boyes had a long shot saved and Mercer by an overhead hook kick cleared a dangerous situation. Jones (W.) was working like two men, and had one shot from outside the penalty area nicely caught by Sagar. When Brown centred Jones (W.) showed amazing speed, and as he was rushing over the goal-line he headed the ball back into the Everton goalmouth, Sagar saving. Clack then made a great save from Gillick.
Half-Time Everton 2, Birmingham 1.
The football was very entertaining even though it could not be called hectic. Birmingham were putting up strong opposition, but they were terrible finshers. Harris shot over the bar, and Lawton gave Stevenson a wonderful opportunity, but the Irishman misfired. From a free kick taken by Mercer, Clack pushed the ball out to Lawton’s head but as he was about to nod the ball into goal he saw a boot loom up into the face and this spoiled his effort. Boyes took up the challenge, but shot wide. Sagar’s best save was from Harris who was right through the Everton defence and should have made no mistake. Sagar saved his rising shot in fine style. Trigg made a back pass and Gillick almost surprised him, and when this happened a second time Gillick made a fine bid to hook the ball into the net.
Bentham’s Goal.
At 71 minutes Bentham to all intents and purposes sealed the issue. He beat two opponents and the goalkeeper, who got in the way of the shot but the ball bounded from him and travelled towards the net. Hughes sprinted to try and keep it out, but, it was over the line when he put foot to the ball. Clack made a magnificent save from a Lawton header. Everton went further ahead at 80 minutes when Lawton scored a fourth goal. His was a simple chance, and the real honour goes to Bentham, whose shot only half saved by Clack. Lawton tapped the ball over the line. Two minutes later Sagar pushed out a shot from Morris, Jones (W.) having a similar sort of chance to that of Lawton’s and he took it. Hughes was spoken to for a foul on Gillick, and this upset a section of the crowd. Final; Everton 4, Birmingham 2.

CHESTER BREAK NEW GROUND GREAT
Manchester Evening News - Saturday 18 March 1939
 interest was taken in the first appearance for Chester of Coulter, the ex-Everton winger, but unfortunately he was injured early in the game There is good news of two Chester stars. McGough has resumed training, and Rogers has left hospital after his operation. Chester break fresh ground on Wednesday when they meet South Liverpool in the Semi-Final of the Welsh Cup at Goodison Park. The Liverpool team are members of the Lancashire Combination and have an impressive record.

EVERTON TAKE FUTURE BY THE FORELOCK
March 18, 1939. The Liverpool Echo
Caskie Wee St. Johnstone Winger Signed
George Jackson’s Rise From “A” Team To League Eleven
By Stork.
Things have been going as well with the Everton club this season that talk of signings have been few and far between. That does not mean to say that the Everton scouts have been sitting twidding their fingers. No football club can stand in the matter of transfers, but it is safe to say that the Everton club had had less reason to go into the market than any other. Scorers of players have been watched each and every Saturday, and sometimes in the week. It is a ritual with clubs to send their scouts out. They are told about this man and that man, how good they are, and that they would just suit you. Everton are no different from any other clubs. When a name, I passed on to them it does not go into the waste paper basket, but a man is detailed to get, along and see what manner of player this is. That does not mean that he will be signed for if Everton signed every player they look at throughout the season they would have enough players to form a league of their own. When I was up in Middlesbrough last week-end I learned that Everton were watching Caskie, the St. Johnstone out-side left. It was just one of their usual “watching briefs” but it was St. Johnstone who had offered, Caskie to Everton. They are not over pleased with “fifthy lucre, and as they have got to live they wrote Everton saying they were prepared to part with Caskie. So up went Mr. Hunter Hart to see the player and report in the usual manner. Result, Mr. Theo Kelly, went up to Scotland on Wednesday, with a definite price to offer for Caskie. Caskie has been signed, but it is no record breaking figure which has lured him to England. Before Wally Boyes came to Everton, Caskie was considered. He is a wee fellow like Boyes. Cannot possibly be more than 5ft 3ins, but is extra ordinary clever, and a good shot. Height does not mean a lot where wingmen are concerned. Who will ever forget Walden of Spurs, little, but good. Cook, the former Bolton Wanderers’s bundle of tricks. The signing of Caskie is a safeguard in case anything should happen to Boyes. It does not mean that there will be a chance in the team which has done so well this season.
Gordon Watson, who held the position of twelfth man for the Everton team has lost his job, and a new man took his place in the “dug” at the ringside at Goodison, and away ground. But I don’t think Gordon will mind losing the job. This is one of the few instances where a player does not mind being sacked, for it means that he goes into the team, and Watson’s toes have been itching to get a kick at the ball on match days. The new man is none other them Liverpool born George Jackson, the full back. He took over Watson’s mantle, and along with it a few pounds to bonus money. Jackson is one of Liverpool’s own lads, and proud of it. There is no other team but Everton for George. It is the only team in the country, no matter whether they are doing well, or ill, that matters to him. He was practically severed all his football life with Everton, so Goodison is a second home to Jackson. He started his football apprenticeship with Arnott Street School, which has turned out many promising footballers in years gone by, and then went on to Walton Parish Church, and he was not long there before the Everton scout’s early eye saw his promise and enticed him into the fold. The “A” team was his taunting ground, and it was while he was with them that he was loaned out to Marine, pride of Crosby. George played through every round with the Mariners in their memorable Amateur Cup bid, and actually reached the final meeting Dulwich Hamlet, the famous London amateur team, at West Ham’s ground. That game is not a happy memory for Jackson, or Marine were soundly beaten by 7-1, but he is proud of his runner-up medal, and also of the Central League medal which he won last year. He has spent most of the time with the second stringers, but has also made many appearances in the first team. He had one particularly long run with the League team, and many sterling games he put up. There is nothing spectator about Jackson, he is just an honest-to-goodness full back, the type that is never beaten, for he has great power of recovery, and should an opponent think that he has safely got rid of Jackson he has “another think,” coming on him, for George is back at him like a terrier. That type is always difficult to beat. Jackson’s last game with the League side was at Leeds United’s ground only a few weeks ago, and he was on the winning side. Like most footballers who have to sit alongside the trainer in the shelter so kindly provided (there are not many; the Arsenal have what they term a glass Box), Jackson plays as hard as any of the eleven on the field. Jock Thomson was sitting in the stands at Middlesbrough, and it would not have taken him long to rush out on that field and give a helping hand to his colleagues in that great game up on the North East coast. Jock, said, afterwards, “I would much rather be playing than sitting watching. It was a nerve racking business, and I’ll wager I did as much kicking during that ninety minutes as any of the Boys.” But let me get back to Jackson, George had a benefit this season, which is sufficient guarantee that he is appreciated at Goodison Park. I hope there is another benefit awaiting him, for there is not a more likeable player on the Everton books than this modest Liverpool lad. Many people are under the impression that Everton secured Jackson from Marine. Such an impression comes about through Jackson playing for the amateur club in the F.A. Amateur Cup. The position was that Marines were short of a full back, so Everton stepped in and lent them Jackson, who could only play in the Cup games with one exception when he played in the League side to quality him for the Cup competition.

ARCHIE CLARK RETIRES
March 18, 1939. The Liverpool Echo
Ex-Everton Pivot, Who Raised Tranmere Rovers’ League Status.
By Rover.
The announcement made in midweek –and first exclusively hinted at in last Saturday’s Echo –that Archie Clark had mutually agreed with the directors of Tranmere Rovers to terminate his engagement with the club, no doubt came as a surprise to the majority of the Rovers, supporters. It was over two months ago that Clark told me it was his fixed intention to retire from the game at the end of the present season, and even at that time, when he was not playing in the team, he said that he was thinking of suggesting to the management that if his services were no longer required, he was prepared to terminate his contract earlier. Clark has had a long and distinguished run in football, having been associated with Luton, Arsenal, and Everton, in addition to the Rovers, and he retires with many pleasant memories and what is more, as a result of his wisdom, in preparing for the day, when his activities as a player must end, something to fall back upon. Clark who is a native of the South, is I believe going back to Kent, where he has farming interest, and I anticipate that this will be his main hobby of the future. At the same time Clark is still remarkably fit and I would not be surprised if the lure of the game prove sufficiently strong for him, to have a season or so with a non-league club in the area. He has been adieus to his many admirers at Prenton Park, and will always be remembered as captain of that Rovers team to gain promotion to the Second Division.

LAWTON ADDS TO HIS GOAL CROP
Everton 4 Birmingham City 2 (Game 1679 over-all)-(Div 1 1637)
March 20 1939. The Liverpool Daily Post
By Stork
Everton have found Birmingham a tough nut right through the piece. In the first League meeting at St Andrews team won by the only goal, and it will not be forgotten what a fine display they produced in the replayed Cup game at Goodison. Well, it took Everton all their time in the return League fixture, even though the final score-4-2-does not suggest it. Birmingham played really good class football to compare favorably with anything Everton could produce, and with the slightest bit of luck, or calmer heads, in the first 15 minutes they would have had two goals. They had shaken Everton’s goalposts and Jennings was offered a “certainly” only to slash the ball over the bar; a bad miss. Birmingham actually took the lead at 26 minutes by a quick made goal by Harris Birmingham’s best shooter, but within two minutes Everton had marked up two goals for themselves a header by Lawton and a tap over the line by Gillick. They were hectic minutes for in between Everton’s two goals Trigg had lobbed the ball over his goalkeeper’s head and into the net. It looked a good goal, but the whistle had sounded-I did not hear it-for a foul. Clack made several saves before he was relieved by the interval. Birmingham’s football was well above that of the wooden spoonists. There was nothing haphazard about it, and they kept the ball on the ground, but near the goal they seemed to be paralyzed. Had they any finish at all they would have been a positive danger to the Everton defence which as it was had to put some fiery defensive play to maintain their lead. But their poor finishing remained with them until the end. Harris was right through the Everton defence and Sagar could do nothing but come out to reduce Harris’s shooting space. It was odds against the Goalkeeper but as so often happens, the forward cracked his shot straight at Sagar, who flung up his hands and sent the ball spinning in the air. Sagar should not have been allowed to even touch the ball. They did get a second goal late on, but Everton had put the issue well beyond their opponents reach through goals by Lawton and Bentham, the latter beating not only a centre-half, but the goalkeepers as well. Clack had rushed out goal when he saw Turner beaten, and the ball actually struck him and went on into the net despite the vain effort of Hughes to kick it off the line, Bentham also had a hand in Lawton’s second goal for he had forced Clack to push out a shot which appeared likely to squeeze inside the post, and Lawton had only to tap the ball over the line. When he scored that goal Lawton regained his leadership of the goal, scoring list and beating his 29 goals which won him the title last year. While Birmingham gave Everton plenty to think about, they (Everton) always suggested a victory for there was more snap and finish to their work, and Clack had much more to do than Sagar who however, was not without some tricky shots to idea with. One of the most pleasing feature at the moment is Everton’s ability to fight back. A goal against does not have the serious effect it once did it only tends to spur them on a good omen for a side battling for League honours. Lawton was always a source of trouble to Turner and his backs and I killed the way Bentham swerved cleverly through the defence and offered up canny passes to his colleagues. What a worker this lad is. Boyes, Gillick and Stevenson had some cute combination ideas, and Jones Watson, and Mercer were workers all. Cook had accepted his reasonability. He is acting as captain with a well and Greenhalgh is proving beyond all doubt that he is one of the most difficult to beat. Birmingham must realise that only shots will take them away from the bottom. Their football was good enough for anything, but that alone will not bring them the success they desire. It is only natural that the forwards are felling the weight of their position and such being the case are apt to press when a more normal style of play would be more beneficial. In each of their games with Everton they have played football of a class more in keeping with a team higher up the table. Result Everton 4, Birmingham 2. Everton:- Sagar, goal, Cook (captain), and Greenhalgh, backs, Mercer, Jones (Tom), and Watson, half-backs Gillick, Bentham Lawton, Stevenson and Boyes forwards Birmingham:- Clack, goal Trigg and Hughes, backs Dearson, Turner, and Shaw (j), half-backs, Brown Jenning, Jones (w) Harris, and Morris, forwards. Referee W.J.Lewington (Croydon) attendance 29,687.

CENTRAL LEAGUE
Preston North End Reserves 1 Everton Reserves 2
March 20 1939. The Liverpool Daily Post
Central League (Game 35)
Everton played more direct more thoughtful football then a side of greater experience at Preston, and deserved their narrow win. The visitors superiority was emphasized in the first half when a nippy attack shoved too fast for the Preston defence but vested opportunities. Sharp and Keenan made progressive wing play and Catterick gave the international Tom Smith a lot of trouble by his livelinesss. Jackson was a sound back. Sweeney and Catterick scored for Everton and Lowre for Preston.
Everton team:- Burnett, goal, Lambert and Jackson backs, Britton Edward, and Lindsay, half-backs Keenan Barber, Cunliffe, Catterick and Sharp forwards. Place 4th, played 35 won 18, lost 12 draw 5, for 60 against 64 points 41

LIVERPOOL CHALLENGE CUP
Miranda 2 Everton ‘’A’’ 1
March 20 1939. The Liverpool Daily Post
At Fairfield in the opening half Miranda forced the pace and gained a penalty in the first few minutes, but Lovett saved from Cross. Ericson the Miranda goalkeeper, dealt with shots by Trentham Dean and Hume, McMurray eventually score. Burchall equalized from a penalty early in the second half. Everton with two crippled wingers Hume and Trentham. Were rather disjointed and although the defence was hard worked, held out until near the end when Campbell gained the winning goal.

EVERTON GOOD IN PARTS
March 20, 1939. The Evening Express.
Open Tactics Will Pay Better
By Watcher.
Although Everton beat Birmingham 4-2 at Goodison, on Saturday, they impressed for only a short period of the game. Birmingham were Everton’s equals in midfield and, time after time, the Midland’s halves intercepted passes meant for the Blues front line. The moral is that Everton must pursue open tactics if they are to hold off the Wolves’ challenge for the League championship, Everton, at the moment, are three points ahead. Pretty, short passes in midfield undoubtedly catch the eye –but they do not produce the goals necessary to win a championship. The long cross-passes to the wings and occasional swift slams down the centre of the field will serve Everton better in every respect. Birmingham had no defence against the long, lofted passes occasionally put across by Cook and Greenhalgh. The Midlands side became flustered. In the later stages, both half-backs line were starved and Everton had the upper hand. Lawton, thanks to two goals, took the lead with 30 goals, in the First Division individual scoring race. He had few chances against the watchful Turner. Gillick and Bentham, who got the other goals against Birmingham were always dangerous and Stevenson and Boyes delighted with their craft. There was little fault to find with the Blues defence. Birmingham lacked “punch” near goal –Jones was their best forward but he got little support.

EVERTON’S QUICK REPLY
March 20, 1939. The Liverpool Echo
By stork.
The Everton followers got the jitters on Saturday, but not so the Everton team. The jitters came about through Everton failing to score before Birmingham had shown them the way in fact the Midlanders might have had two goals in the first fifteen minutes, and only poor finishing stopped them. They gave Everton plenty to do, for they kept the ball on the ground, swung it about with nicety and had ideas for beating the Everton defence until it came up against Sagar who should have been put on double duty, whereas he had a fairly comfortable match. True, he had to make one or two clever saves. He should have had to make dozens. You will therefore see that Birmingham were not so vastly beaten as the score denotes.
The Innocent Suffer.
Everton themselves were out very punchful in the first half hour, but when Birmingham scored, it brought them to life with a bang, and they popped in two goals in two minutes and Trigg put in a third for them, but the referee had previous blown for a foul on Bentham, a verdict which made the innocent suffer for the guilty. Bentham obliged with a third goal, and there was a more satisfied feeling around the ground. There was less danger of Birmingham springing a surprise, for it had to be admitted that they were at times a menacing force with their good class football. Everton too pulled out many nice movements so there was plenty to see for the student of football as apart from goal scoring. Lawton’s second and his side’s fourth goal, was a gift from Clack, who pushed out a Bentham drive right to the centre forward’s foot, Crack, and the ball was in the net.
Lawton On top.
Lawton was right on his toes, offered colleagues fine chances, and was always troublesome to the Birmingham defences. There was a deal of “switching” on Saturday. Gillick was often on the left flank, Boyes on the right, and Stevenson and Bentham anywhere and everywhere. Gillick almost added to his goal by snaking through the Birmingham defence by his penchant to cut through an unwary defence. I still think that half Everton’s success is the half-back line and Watson is not one bit less effective than his partner. In this line there was construction and destruction. What more could any team want? Cook and Greenhalgh were strong backs. Birmingham’s second goal came about because Everton did not expect them to hit back against such a load. It was a surprise goal, quickly made and quickly taken by the “live wire” centre forward Jones. But Harris was Everton’s greatest bugbear for he would shoot, and one shot of his –he should have scored –brought a magnificent save from Sagar.

TRENTHAM’S SECOND OPERATION
March 21 1939. The Liverpool Daily Post
By John Peel
Trentham the Everton forward is to have a cartilage operation within the next day or two. This will be his second operation on the same knee-for cartilage trouble in both cases.

CENTRAL LEAGUE
Aston Villa Reserves 2 Everton Reserves 1
March 21 1939. The Liverpool Daily Post
Central League (Game 36)
Beaten 2-1 at Goodison Park, Aston Villa avenged that defeat by the same margin at Villa Park yesterday in a central League match. The game was rather below the usual standard. Neither side making any great scoring effect. Everton were a long time setting, as compared with the home side, who failed to make the most of their early chances. Sharp and Catterick were prominent in occasions. Everton raids most of which lacked thrust. The goals were scored in the first half, the Villa netting twice in 6 minutes through Edward and Osborne. A minute from half-time Godfrey put through his own goal to score for Everton. The second half developed into a serious of long Everton attacks, and only a strong Villa defence foiled them.

EVERTON SIGN 16-YEAR-OLD

March 22, 1939. Yorkshire Evening Post

Everton have signed on amateur forms Simms, the 16-year-old left winger of Thorne Colliery. Simms is a brilliant winger, and has been playing with the Colliery reserves with considerable distinction throughout the season. He gained his first honour on Saturday, when he played brilliantly for Thorne and Goole F.A against Huddersfield F.A in the West Riding Minor Cup. His eldest brother, who plays in a similar position with Ollerton Colliery, in the Yorkshire League, formerly played with Thorne Colliery senior side.

THORNE TO EVERTON

Yorkshire Post-Wednesday 22 March 1939

Simms. outside left of Thorne Colliery Reserves, who is 16 years age, has been signed by Everton on amateur forms. Simms played for Thorne and Goole F.A. against Huddersfleld F.A. the West Riding Minor Cup last Saturday. Sagar, the Everton goalkeeper, was recruited from Thorne Colliery.

 

EVERTON’S TOUR “OFF.”
March 22, 1939, The Liverpool Echo
Ranger’s Notes.
In view of the international situation Everton have decided to cancel their tour of Germany in May. If arrangements can be made, Holland may be substituted. Everton Reserves side to meet Stoke City at Goodison Park on Saturday will include Caskie, the new signing from St. Johnstone, the chosen eleven being;- Burnett; Jackson, Jones; Lindley, Edwards, Milligan; Barber, Sweeney, Catterick, Sharp, Caskie. Everton first team has no match on Saturday, the fixture with Manchester United having had to be postponed to the following Wednesday, in view of Old Trafford, being engaged for the semi-final tie.

THORNE TO EVERTON

March 22, 1939 Yorkshire Post and Leeds Intelligencer

Simms, outside left of Thorne Colliery Reserves, who is 16 years of age, has been signed by Everton on amateur forms. Simms played for Thorne and Goole F.A. against Huddersfield F.A in the West Riding Minor Cup last Saturday. Sagar the Everton goalkeeper, was recruited from Thorne Colliery.

CASKIE’S GOODISON DEBUT.
March 24, 1939. The Liverpool Echo
Ranger’s Notes.
Everton’s first eleven is without a match on Saturday owing to the Cup semi-final at Manchester United’s ground. The Reserves team will, however, be on view at Goodison Park, in a Central League fixture with Stoke City Reserves, and with Caskie due to make his debut the game has an added interest. The St. Johnstone winger is one of the cleverest little men in the game, and from what I hear about him, he is going to be an attraction to followers of the Central League side. Everton are all out to win the championship for the second year in succession so a keen game is in prospect. Barnett; Jackson, Jones; Lindley, Edwards, Milligan; Barber, Sweeney, Catterick, Sharp, Caskie.

LEAVES FROM MY NOTEBOOK
March 25, 1939. The Liverpool Echo
By Ranger.
• Five times in their history Everton have provided the leading scorer in all divisions of the League at the end of the season. Lawton is the latest to add his name to the distinguished service list, and now, coming back to his old time facility as a marksman after a learn period, he looks like doing the trick two years in succession. While I don’t reckon the Everton leader is playing as well at the moment as he was earlier in the season –he seems to have temporarily lost his former facility for bringing the ball quickly under control and banging home a shot almost in the same movement –the success which had attended his efforts in the last three matches will give him confidence for the remaining games.
• Our old friend, “Dixie” Dean, has been on the warpath again. He got five goals, including a hat-trick for Sligo Rovers in their recent match, two of them headers and the rest those old-time unstoppable make a hole in the net shots. Dean has been unlucky with strains and sprains since he crossed the Channel, but at last the Sligo folks are seeing what they have been waiting for, for weeks.

EVERTON HAVE THE REAL FIGHTING SPIRIT
March 25, 1939. The Liverpool Echo
Pacemakers All Season, But No Slacking Off
John Edward Jones of Bromborough Pool
By Stork.
Everton have had a quiet week-end, and they have well deserved it, for their League fight has been a long draw-out affair and is not over yet by a long way. There are hard times ahead, aye very hard times, for some of the away games do not look easy by any means, but you can take it from me that the players will face up to them stubbornly, alive to the fact that one single slip will being the Wolves to the door. Everton have had a grand and glorious season, and should they be pipped on the post, in their bid for the championship, who can say they have not done a season’s good work. For any club to make the pace means but one thing –a terrific strain. Those who are following up behind do not feel it quite so much. If you have ever participated in a race you will know how difficult it is to cut out the pace. The wise runner rarely goes to the front straightway; he is content to let others do the donkey work. Everton with but a few weeks respite, have made the running from the beginning of the season, so have been the butt of every team in the land. There is nothing so satisfying to a club lower down in the scale than a victory over the leaders. That is their special pride. It gives them something to crow about, and the football fans something to think about. When Everton went to Huddersfield, Birmingham, and Brentford and were beaten, glaring headlines followed. If Everton had been second, there would have been no such outcry. I’ll agree it was a bit of a blow when Huddersfield, the bottom club, smashed Everton’s unbeaten record, but when I thoroughly the matter over, it was not such a serious matter. It had to come just as surely as night follows day. One cannot expect to win all along the line, and go through the season unbeaten as one team did many, many, years ago. Could the Preston of the good old Days have romped through a season without a defeat at the game is played today? I think not. But what I have liked about Everton as much as anything this season has been their ability to hit back. Not many seasons ago a goal against sent them scuttering into their shell; rocked their foundation, underlined, their confidence. Not so today. Several teams have scored before Everton have found the net, but instead of becoming panicky, Everton just buckled up their belt, and hit back with renewed strength. At Middlesbrough they had three goals chalked up against them in half an hour. Such a lead was enough to have taken the heart out of them. It did the reversed. It changed them from a moderate side into one of great strength, and in the end they were unfortunate not to have won. Birmingham also scored the first goal of the day, yet were beaten in the end. This shows a fighting spirit, the spirit which wins championships. You’ve got to keep up with the Jones’s. there are many of them in football, and they want some keeping up with too. Everton have two of that name, but only one is Welsh, which leaves John Edward as the subject of my personal note this week. Jackie was born at New Ferry, and has lived all his life at Bromborough Pool. “Daddy” Jones had ambitions as a footballer, but a broken ankle in his first game put an end to that ambition. However, John Edwards was put wise to play the game at about five years of age, and the time came when he appeared at centre forward twice for Bromborough Pool Village School without shaking the firmament. But he went to left full back and held that position successfully until the present day with Everton F.C. he played for Bromborough Pool in the I-Zingari League, and later for Port Sunlight Gymnasium in the Birkenhead League, with whom he had two or three very good seasons, meeting defeat only three or four times. Ellesmere Port Town then secured him, and he played his first game for them against West Kirby at West Kirby. Joe Mercer was a member of the same team at left half. After eight games with the Town he got a trail with Everton “A” against Prescot Cables, and this was followed by others. How he got a lift into the Central League side was typical of the sudden fortune that comes everyone’s way. He was on Central Station, Liverpool, on his way to join the “A” team at Whiston or Skelmersdale, when somebody he believe it was Mr. W. Gibbons, the Everton director buttonhole him, “Are you Jones”? “Yes” “The full back” “Yes “ and he was bundled into a train for Stockport. “Warney Cresswell hadn’t headed up or something, so John Edwards Jones got his foot on the League ladder. Everton Res draw that day, and John Edwards never played in the “A” team again. The famous Sunderland replay at Goodison, when we won 6-4 after extra time, is the game I remember best. I enjoyed every minute of it. It was a real fight “says Jones.” “No I can’t recall any game I didn’t enjoy, but that has been the best so far. I was sent off once you will remember –but not in England. That was in Denmark. And the referee give a free kick for us. I was walking off as ordered when Charlie Gee said “Hey where are you off.” I told him the referee’s orders. He didn’t mean that. Look at the free kick sad Charlie. So I resumed. But the crowded roared, and the referee again send me off.” Jackie played floodlight football on tour in Switzerland. He liked the experience and discovered no particular difficulty in it from the players point of view. “We won 10-1 so why worry, said he. Golf? Yes, he’s been trying, trying, trying but doesn’t seem to get any better than handicapped 14 anyway says he likes cricket, and plays for Bromborough Pool in the Merseyside secondary competition. When he gets his 50 he likes to take a knock properly and lets go to take a knock properly and lets go usually with fatal results. Does his bit as a medium pace bowler, too. Mrs. Jones Edwards follows Everton’s fortunes enthusiastically, and in the summer accompanies her husband at tennis –and a happy pair.

EVERTONIANS SELECTED FOR ENGISH FA TOUR
March 27 1939. The Daily Post
By John Peel
Jones the Everton full back, and Britton the Everton right half, have been selected as members of the English football association team to tour South Africa. The party leave on May 11, and is expected home on July 25. T Lawton and Everton centre forward had been provisionally picked for the tour of the continent.

CENTRE LEAGUE
Everton Reserves 3 Stoke City 0
March 27 1939. The Liverpool Daily Post
Central League (Game 37)
By Stork
Everton Reserves had little difficulty in beating Stoke City 3-0 at Goodison Park on Saturday. Had they taken their chances the score would have been trebled for Sweeney and Barber missed simple chances, before Everton had scored. Stoke City never at any time suggested that they would penetrate the strong Everton defence as that the game was a one-sided affair. Everton scores were Sharp Barber, and Catterick. Caskie the new Everton winger signed from St Johnstone looks a footballer despite his lack in inches for he has a solid looking body and a football brain. Naturally he was not quite at home, this being his first game with Everton, but as time goes on Caskie will belong a prime favourite. He was clever in his ball control and wise ideas and above all his centre were put in the surprising accuracy and length. Whether he will be good enough for division one football, one can hardly say at the moment. He is very small, but being a winger, this many not be against him. Some of the smartest wingers in the county have been little man. There is no doubt that Caskie knows the game. He proved that more than once by his uncanny knack of putting the ball where he wanted and I can imagine that he will score goals, for he took upon a nice position when play was on the other wing, but unfortunately few, if any of the centres made by his colleagues reached him. I would like to impress upon Sharp, another clever player to give Caskie more room. Everton Reserves; Barnett; goal Jackson, and Jones, backs; Lindley, Edwards, and Milligan, half-backs; Barber, Sweeney, Catterick, Sharp, and Caskie, forwards.
Place, 4th, played 37, won 19 lost 13, draw 5, for 64 against 64, points 43.

GEORGE MAHON CUP SEMI-FINAL
Everton’’A’’ 3 South Liverpool Reserves 2
March 27 1939. The Liverpool Daily Post
At Sandiforth road, Everton’’A’’ in a last minute rally with a goal from Keenan earned the right to appear in the final. Merrit with a cleverly taken goal gained the home side the equalised when Lovett misjudged the flight of the ball from a free kick taken by O’Brien. Dean, however, restored Everton lead before half-time. Second half piled on pressure in the late stages and the home goal was several times lucky in escaping downfall, the winning goal being scored in the closing stages. Hill, Davies, Merritt and Keenan were prominent for Everton with Franks O’Brien, Watson and Adams outstanding for the visitors.

CASKIE’S DEBUT
March 27, 1939. The Liverpool Echo
By Stork.
“Little but good,” that will be your verdict when you see Caskie’s Everton’s new winger from St. Johnstone’s. He must be the smallest player in the land, but that is not against him, he has the ability and I feel sure he has that. He did not get a lot of chances in the Everton-Stoke match on Saturday, but what he did he did well. Although only a few inches over 5ft he has a strong body and a sturdy pair of legs. He looked a footballer and showed that he was when he took possession of the ball. His centres were the acme of perfect in length and vancity, and his ball control often carried him beyond an opponent. He will be better with a greater knowledge of his colleagues play. Everton had little trouble with Stoke, whose forward line could not find a way to beat the strong Everton defence. There is still time for Everton to win the Central League. Everton will not choose their side to meet Manchester United at Old Trafford, on Wednesday, until tomorrow, evening, but no change is expected from the team which has done duty in the last four games.

EVERTON PLAYERS CAPPED
March 27, 1939. The Liverpool Echo
Mercer And Lawton In Side v. Scotland.
By Contact.
England have again taken two Everton players –Tom Lawton and Joe Mercer –for the great match against Scotland at Hampton Park, Glasgow, on Saturday, April 18. Lawton will lead the attack and Mercer retains the position he held in the side which avalanche Ireland at Old Trafford –left half back. Lawton was considered a virtual certainty, for the centre forward position in spite of pressing claims by Westcott of Wolves, and Fenton of Middlesbrough, but Mercer selection was felt to be not quite sure.

EVERTON SHOULD STRENGTHEN LEAGUE GRIP
March 28, 1939. The Evening Express.
Tomorrow’s Duel At Old Trafford
Away Points Vital
By Pilot.
Everton continue their race to the First Division championship, when, at Old Trafford, tomorrow, they face Manchester United in the re-arranged league game. The Blues, at the moment, are three points ahead of Wolverhampton Wanderers, for a similar number of matches played. The rest, in racing parlance, are “nowhere” Derby County have lost any chance they had of overtaking the two leaders. While Everton are tackling their Lancashire rivals in a County “Derby” game. Wolves will be testing the strength of Staffordshire rivals in Stoke City at Victoria Grounds. Everton had a rest on Saturday while the Wolves were battling against Grimsby Town in the Semi-final. Will that make any difference to the Wanderers? Perhaps it will, but I hope the Blues do not reply on any falling away by wolves. I have little doubt about Everton securing their home points. What concerns me is their ability to pick up points away from home. So far they have acquitted themselves well in this respect, for they average a point a match for 16 away games. This is on point worse than the away record of Wolves, who, however, are four points worse off in home returns. Personally, I think Everton have the easier task tomorrow, for they visit a side not consistent at home. The United have won only five of 16 home games, lost four and drawn seven! If 11 teams could escape defeat there, then I think Everton can do as well. Everton’s defeated the United 3-0 when they met at Goodison and so the Blues will be out to record their seventh “double” of the season. The team will not be selected until tonight’s meeting of the directors, but I do not anticipate any changes. Everton; Sagar; Cook, Greenhalgh; Mercer, Jones (Tom), Watson; Gillick, Bentham, Lawton, Stevenson, Boyes.

EVERTON AT MANCHESTER
March 28, 1939. The Liverpool Echo
By Stork.
Although the Everton team to meet Manchester United in the arranged league game at Old Trafford, tomorrow, has not been chosen, any change in the side which has stood its ground for so long. The players are all fit and well, and had a busman’s holiday watching the semi-final at Old Trafford on Saturday. This game looks rather an easy thing on paper, but there are no easy things for Everton between now and the end of the season. They will be kept at full stretch throughout if they are to pull off the championship. The United are not any easy side to beat on the spacious ground at Old Trafford. They have brought off one or two sensational victories there this season, but Everton have only to produce the type of game which brought them a draw at Middlesbrough to secure the two points.
New-Found Quality.
Both teams have had the advantage of a long rest, so they will start level in that respect, and, in view of Everton’s fighting quality –a new found quality –I take them to win. There are one or two smart forwards in the United side, but the Everton defence has been standing its ground solidly to all comers in recent games, and now that Lawton has returned to his scoring mood –he will be all out to show that the confidence placed in him by the selectors has not been misplaced –he is certain to make every effort to add to his goal crop and, at the same time keep ahead of Fenton, the Middlesbrough centre forward, who is treading closely on his heels in the goal-scoring chart.

EVERTON NOT TO TOUR HOLLAND
March 29, 1939. The Liverpool Echo
Lawton’s Goal against Manchester United.
By Stork.
Everton:- Sagar, goal; Cook (captain) and Greenhalgh, backs; Mercer, Jones, and Watson, half-backs; Gillick, Bentham, Lawton, Stevenson and Boyes, forwards. Manchester United:- Breen, goal; Redwood and Griffiths, backs; Warmer, Vose, and Manley, half-backs; Dougal, Wassell, Hanlon, Pearson and Rowley, forwards. Referee Mr. C. Salmon, stoke. The first piece of news is that the Everton tour of Holland is off. Owing to some League arrangements at Amsterdam, Everton could not have played there until perhaps June, which they considered too late. Another tour is in prospect, however. The Everton team go to Harrogate on Monday in preparation for the Easter fixtures. They will go on to Sunderland on Good Friday morning. The Manchester United side showed one change, Dougan appearing at outside right for Bryant. There was a good crowd present, but the overnight rain had left the ground very sodden. Everton started off with some high-class football. They kept the ball nicely earth, and several times were almost on the point of being through the United’s defence.
In Combine.
Gillick, Bentham, and Mercer were combining extremely well, so that Manley and Griffiths had their work cut out to hold them down, but by the same token the sweeping passing of the United once put Dougan on the trail and he should have done better than he did, for he failed at the critical moment. Hanlon was very lively for United, but found Jones a proposition. The Everton centre half twice kicked clear and on each occasion Hanlon got the ball in his face, but was not seriously damaged. Lawton after working through to a shooting position, failed to get hold of his shot in a proper manner so that Breen was not seriously troubled. Lawton was on his toes, and again he was through, but was beaten by the bounce of the ball, and Breen had to save from Bentham. Later the Irish goalkeeper caught a ball underneath his crossbar and was charge over the line by Lawton. Fortunately for the United he crossed the line outside the upright, otherwise it would have been a goal. Gillick’s corner caused some trouble, Dougan, who was making his first appearance since he came from Plymouth Argyle had his chances, but failed to utilize them. Gillick put a ball to Breen’s hand, and later a wise pass by Lawton to Stevenson should have produced a goal. Stevenson pulled the ball right across the goal face –in an uncommon manner for him. Everton’s football was of better class than that of their opponents, who relied more on the big drive forward and then scampered after the ball.
Defence In Command.
There was not a lot of bite about the game, but there was much to learn. Stevenson was in his element in making openings yet when one came to himself he failed to take it up. He shot right across the goal for the second time in the game. So far the Everton defence had been in command, yet there was a tense moment when Greenhalgh dived in to check the onrushing Hanlon, and suffer an injury for his endeavour. It was slight, however, and he soon carried on, and the 18,000 spectators saw Mercer make one of his cork-screw runs only to go over the back of Warner.
A Lawton Goal.
Manchester United livened up and three of four minutes they were gathered around the Everton goal, and things did not look any too rosy. But Everton survived and once again took control, although Rowley tried a long shot which was never any trouble to Sagar. In fact, Sagar had little to deal with today, zealous he was so well covered by his comrades. At forty minutes Everton took a goal, Lawton snapped up a pass from Gillick and running through the Manchester defence scored a grand goal with his left foot. They had well earned their lead, for they had been the better side.
Half-Time, Manchester United 0, Everton 1.
United’s Rush.
Manchester United opened the second half with a rush, and had there been less excitement they might have taken a goal. The chance were there, but there was an over anxiety about their play which prevented them doing what they wanted to do. Pearson once headed over, and Wassell shot wide, while Jones had to give away a corner to stem the on rushing United attack. Having had their fling, however, Everton again took up the running, and Breen had to save from Boyes, while Lawton failed to connect up with a pass which would have put him right through. The United were playing considerably better at this point, and Hanlon should have scored when he was given a chance slap bang in front of goal. His shot, however, was tame. Lawton tried a hard cross drive, which beat the goalkeeper but flew behind and later put in a terrific shot which went straight to Breen’s hands. Vose was fortunate to turn a Gillick cross right into Breen’s hands, and then Boyes shot right across the goal, the ball being deflected out by a Manchester defender’s foot. Stevenson got a nasty kick in the face, and for some time staggered about the ground.

LAWTON’S GOAL AFTER 40 MINUTES
March 29, 1939. Evening Express.
Everton take Lead in Vital League Game.
Brilliant Forward Work At Manchester
By Pilot.
Everton opposed Manchester United at Old Trafford today in the rearranged League match. News of the day is that the Blues proposed tour of Holland has fallen through, but the club is still making efforts to arrange an after-the-season tour. The players, in view of the heavy Easter programme go to Harrogate for a tonic on Sunday. Everton: - Sagar, goal; Cook (captain) and Greenhalgh, backs; Mercer, Jones, and Watson, half-backs; Gillick, Bentham, Lawton, Stevenson and Boyes, forwards. Manchester United: - Breen, goal; Redwood and Griffiths, backs; Warmer, Vose, and Manley, half-backs; Dougal, Wassell, Hanlon, Pearson and Rowley, forwards. Referee Mr. C. Salmon, stoke. Everton gained two corners in the opening two minutes, but Breen was only once brought into action. when he had to pick up a shot from Bentham. Sagar had to handle a header from Dougan, the ex-Plymouth Argyle player, who was making his debut for the United. A quick back-heel by Lawton almost put Stevenson through. The football was interesting, both sides being particularly dangerous on the flanks. The combination of both sets of forwards was excellent! Boyes was finding it easy to beat Redwood, and now he raced to the line for Breen to catch the ball. Lawton came thorough with a charge, and a corner resulted. Stevenson surprised Redwood by over taking a ball which seemed to be running behind, but there was no one handy to take, a shot when Boyes, who received, kicked it across. The United forwards showed craft in opening the game, but they were not quick enough in taking shooting chances and most of the thrills came at Breen’s end. Breen had to handle a sharp shot from Gillick, before Stevenson burst through, but “pulled” his shot almost to the corner flag. Hanlon’s solo burst saw held up by Greenhalgh and then Dougan came through smartly with two testing centres which had Everton worried. The Blues’ defence survived and Sagar easily held a direct shot from Rowley. The United claimed a penalty when Jones hobbed Hanlon and following Watson’s free kick, Bentham tried to charge the ball and Breen into the net, but received a bump on the head. He was able to resume after attention. Everton always looked more like goals than United, but Sagar, had to make a cricketer’s catch to pull down Dougan’s corner from the top of the bar. Everton I though, should have had a penalty when Lawton was fouled, but the referee gave a free kick the other way. In 40 minutes the Blues’ took the lead, and it was well deserved. From a United throw-in on Everton’s right, Mercer, passed the ball to Gillick who, with an adroit hook, slipped it across to Lawton. Lawton took the ball in his stride went forward about three yards, and cracked it home at such speed with his left foot that Breen could hardly have seen the way it went.
Half-Time Manchester United 0, Everton 1.
The United took charge on resuming but the Blues’ defence stood firm. A mistake by Watson let in Wassall, and when the ball whisked away to the oppose flank Rowley centred quickly and Jones had to concede a corner to relieve pressure. Play had lost its first half speed, Gillick once broke through, but the speedy Griffiths prevented him from getting to business. Lawton taking over another pass from Gillick raced through to the edge of the penalty area, before shooting inches by the far post. So far this had been Everton’s game.

EVERTON FIVE POINTS AHEAD
Manchester United 0 Everton 2 (Game 1680 over-all)-(Div 1 1638)
March 30, 1939. The Liverpool Daily Post
By Stork
Everton’s bid for the championship was greatly improved by their sound victory over Manchester United especially so in view of Wolves defeat at Stoke. ‘’what’’ had the wolves done? Was one though en route for Liverpool and when it became known that Stoke had won there was jubilation among the Everton party. The Cup finalist are the one team, Everton had to fear in their path to the title honours but their position is now considerably eased, even though the Wolves are still a menace neither side could afford to drop a single point least of all the Wolves. Everton however, went to Manchester prepared to do something on their own account and not rely upon what others could do for them and their 2-0 victory was hardly a true reflection of the game for Manchester United were beaten in every department. That the goal crop was not considerable increased was due to the fact the Everton missed some gilt edged chances believing that two goals was sufficient to account for the poor opposition for a matter which way one looked at the match it put Manchurians in a poor light. They was no power in their attack and the forwards were much too clever for their defence. As a game of football it was satisfying for Everton made lovely moves, which made the United look even worse than they were. Only for brief spell did the United promise to breakdown the Everton defence which gave me the impression that they were sitting on the splice as it were. Where Everton moved forward by intriguing combination the United hit the ball forward and went after it helter skelter, but it never really looked liking bring them anything because the Everton defence was its master. Everton looked and were a class side whereas the Manchurians looked what they were, just a moderately good team. They will have to play better than this if they are to win many points. The two goals which gave Everton their victory were top class. Lawton scored the first at 40 minutes when Gillick stopped him a bonny pass. Lawton allowed the ball to run in front of him before he hit it with his left foot and half a dozen Breens could not have saved the shot. Prior to that Stevenson, Gillick and Bentham had missed their way in front of goal with reasonably good scoring chances and it looked as thought that one goal would carry the day for as Manchester United tried they could not get the better of the Everton defence who refused to give away an inch of ground. One of the United greatest errors was that they did not bring their wing forwards, into the game, and relied too much upon the inside men. Particularly Hanlon, who was so well taken care of by Jones that he had but one opportunity to distinguish himself but in his anxiety he shot feebly at Sagar, who was glad of the opportunity to save. It was close to the interval that Manchester United showed most fight. But it was mostly flurry, which looked more dangerous than it really was. They clustered round the Everton goal yet, Sagar was never in trouble. A single goal was nothing to boast about but Everton must have felt that it was enough for they seemed to saunter through the game as though it was a practice match. One had, however always to be on the look out for a quick Manchester United breakaway but it never came, and at 69 minutes, Stevenson Watson Boyes and Gillick joined hands or feet-to make the issue perfectly safe. When Boyes finally got the ball he swerved round Redwood, who tried to nudge him over the touch-line but missed him, and then flicked the ball over to Gillick, at inside left and the outside right planted the ball calmly into the net. Everton are playing unorthodox football these days. They realized that the one-way type of game will not do so there is plenty of switching in the forward line and the defence does not quite know where the next shot is coming from, Lawton is veering into the centre, and once or twice the Scot was on the brink of getting several goals though this move. I thought Gillick had a grand match, and so for that matter did Boyes while Lawton was ever a danger to the United defence, in which Rose stood up gallantly to his unenviable task. I though he gave away’s penalty when he grabbled Lawton’s jersey and prevented him going through to a goal so imagine the surprise all round when the referee gave a foul against Lawton for elbows. He could not have seen the jersey-pulling incident. However all’s well that well and Everton are now in more solid position than ever. Greenhalgh was the outstanding back, if not player, on the field, but Everton’s half-backs were all powerful against an attack that had the variety or moves to heat Jones, Mercer and Watson. Bentham and Stevenson were carriers and Fletcher of the highest order. It was a victory for teamwork, one for all and all for one. No one cares who scorers the goals so long as they are scored and when helps is required further behind it is not requested, it is there as part of the scheme of things. Manchester United tried out their new wings Dougan, recently obtained from Plymouth Argyle and I put him at the head of the class in the forwards. Too much is expected of Hanlon. He is prodigious worker but lacks inches in these days of the towering centre half-backs. Griffiths was the better back, but both he and Redwood had a grueling time against Gillick and Boyes. After the game with Stoke City on Saturday Everton will go to Harrogate on Monday in preparation for their heavy Easter Holiday fixtures. Result Manchester United 0 Everton 2.
Everton:- Sagar, goal, Cook (captain), and Greenhalgh, backs, Mercer, Jones, and Watson, half-backs, Gillick, Bentham, Lawton Stevenson and Boyes forwards. Manchester United: - Breen, goal, Redwood and Griffiths, backs, Warmer, Vose, and Hanley half-backs, Dougan, (debut) Wassell , Hanson, Pearson, and Rowley forwards. Referee Mr. G Salmon (Stoke), attendance 18,348

TOUR OF HOLLAND CANCELLED
March 30 1939. The Liverpool Daily Post
Everton have cancelled their tour of Holland. Owing to some League arrangement at Amsterdam. Everton could not have played there until perhaps June which they considered too late. Another tour is in prospect.

EASY FOR EVERTON
March 30, 1939. The Liverpool Echo
By Stork.
After Everton had beaten Manchester United easier than the result denotes there was one big question remaining to be answered. “What had the “Wolves” done at Stoke? We learned before leaving Manchester that they were leading at half-time. That was not so good, and the tension grew as we travelled to Liverpool, where the anxiety was soon eased. I phoned the office and delighted the boys with the news that Wolves had lost. That sounds as through Everton were relying upon others to make a slip, which is not the case, for Everton are determined that they will help themselves, and let the others do as they will. Should they win the League, and I think they will, the honour will be theirs on merit. They have set the pace practically throughout holding off the challenger after challenger. First it was Derby County then it was Wolves, yet they are still top dogs. To date they have taken more points from away grounds than they have lost. That in itself is good enough to win any championship. Against Manchester United they sauntered through the game playing capital football against the rather frenzied type of their opponent. There was no comparison between the two teams. Class was written all over Everton, whereas the Mancuncians were just a hard, striving, featureless team, which banged the ball upwards and then clambered after it. But the finer points of this game belongs to Everton. Of course one naturally expected something from a prospective championship side, and the Manchester people got it, for Everton gave them a glimpse of high-class football as distinct from “all endeavour” as chalk and cheese. Lawton goal was a beauty. He allowed Gillick’s pass to go to his left foot before he cracked it into the net, and the second goal came through one of the nearest swerves I have ever seen. Redwood tried to nudge Boyes over the touch line, but Boyes swerved out of his reach and carried the ball down until he saw Gillick at inside left, waiting. Over it went and the Scot whipped it into the net before you could say knife. This inter-changing of position is one of Everton’s latest devices. They are all agreed that orthodox methods will not do today with the sporting so keen.
Embarrassing.
Gillick is as often at centre forward as he is at outside right, and Lawton is at inside left as often as he is to be found in the centre. It is all so embarrassing for the opposition defenders. They never know where the blow will come from. Gillick and Boyes were outstanding in this game. One writer said after the match. “Gillick seemed lazy in the first twenty minutes,” He does not know his Gillick as we do, that is obvious. The Scot may appear to be lackadaisical, but watch him closely. He misses very little. This was a better win than the actual score suggests; in fact it was what we term in racing as a “one horse race.” I have often had occasion to praise the work of Mr. Theo Kelly, the Everton secretary. Well, I am pleased to hear that the directors have shown their appreciation of his endeavours in the best possible manner. They have brought the secretary’s salary into line with the other big clubs in the county, such as Arsenal, Tottenham, Chelsea and Sunderland. There is no more efficient secretary in the county than “Theo” as he is known to one and all, in football circles. He carries out his duties in a quiet way, but you can rely upon the job being well done. With the German and Holland tours cancelled, Everton are likely to play three games in the Irish Free State. The same team which won yesterday will meet Stoke City at Goodison Park on Saturday.

EVERTON RACING TO CHAMPIONSHIP
March 30, 1939. The Evening Express.
They Are Five Points Ahead Of Wolves Now!
By Pilot.
Everton are sweeping on to their fifth First Division championship. By defeating Manchester United 2-0 t Old Trafford yesterday, while Wolverhampton Wanderers were losing 5-3 at Stoke City, the Blues secured a clear lead of five points in the table. In addition, they are now eight points ahead of Derby County for a match less played. The Blues and Wolves each have four home and four away games to play. A curious thing about the fixtures is that on each Saturday up to April 29, the Everton fixture follows those of the Wolves. The side facing Wolves one week meet Everton the following week. Everton’s five points lead will take some cutting down, for the Blues are playing in grand style just now. In addition, the players are brimful of confidence and have that essential team spirit that counts for so much. One expects Everton to retain the eight home points at stake in remaining matches, and it is those vital away points that make the differences.
Worth Four Points.
Yesterday’s win was worth four points to thenm, and never were points more richly deserved or more easily secured. Everton simply “walked it.” By following copybook methods of development they made the United appear an indifferent force, and I thought Manchester fortunate to escape with only those Lawton and Gillick goals chalked up against them. If Everton do win the championship as I think they will, then it will prove another triumph for football craft. The Blues showed yesterday a perfect under standing fore and aft, and whereas the United players too often ran to a covered spot, Everton were always moving away to the open spaces. The United never once could cope with the delicate flick passes of the Blues, Gillick and Boyes were in scintilliating mood. Neither Redwood nor Griffiths could hold them and they finished accurately and brainily. Lawton led the line with craft and dash, and the diligence of Bentham and Stevenson meant that the attack was always being well supplied. The United forwards never once got the better of Everton’s brilliant half back line. Mercer, Jones, and Watson were so completely in command that they could pay due attention to creative football. Cook and Greenhalgh gave such a splendid cover to Sagar that the goalkeeper had an easy day. I made Greenhalgh the best man on the field –and that is high praise. This was a one-sided game, enjoyable because Everton had the ability to make football look easy. Keep it up, Blues!
“No Team Changes,” Say Everton.
Everton face the conquerors of Wolverhampton Wanderers at Goodison Park on Saturday. This is Stoke City, from whom the Blues gained a point last autumn. The Blues have decided to play the team that defeated Manchester United. Everton; Sagar; Cook, Greenhalgh; Mercer, Jones (Tom), Watson; Gillick, Bentham, Lawton, Stevenson, Boyes. Everton visit Manchester United in a Central league game on Saturday. Everton Reserves; Burnett; Jackson, Jones (Jack); Lindley, Edwards, Millighan; Barber, Stevenson, Catterick, Sharp, Caskie.
Theo Kelly.
Mr. Theo Kelly, secretary of Everton Football Club, by a unanimous decision of the directors, has been granted an increase in salary which makes him one of the highest-paid officials in football. The fact that Mr. Kelly has had only ten years in first-class football as an official is high testimony to his efficiency. He went to Everton in 1929 on the office staff and took charge of the “A” team. He became acting secretary in 1932, during the illness of the late Tom McIntosh, and in 193, was appointed secretary –one of the most sought posts in football.
He Gets Things Done.
Theo is known throughout the football world and is as energetic as he is genial. He gets things done. In his organization he studies every little detail. Nothing is too small for his notice. In addition, he is a good “mixer” In any company Theo can be at home and makes everyone else feel at home. I have spent many hours with him on football travels and have always found him a man of inexhaustible energy bubbling over with enthusiasm. Since the days Mr. Kelly took over the “A” team, it has become one of the most profitable nursery sides in the country. This proves him to be a fine judge of a player.
Eire Now?
Everton were unable to arrange a tour of Holland to take the place of the proposed trip to Germany which the directors cancelled. There is a congestion of league fixtures in Holland, and it would not have been possible to arrange a tour earlier than June. This is too late for Everton. Now, However, the Blues are in negotiation for a short tour of Eire. This tour would invold about three matches, and I think it will be arranged.

NO CHANCES
March 31 1939. The Liverpool Daily Post
The Everton team to-morrow will be the same team that won at Old Trafford, in the close season Everton are likely to play three games in the Irish Free State.

EVERTON FULL SPEED AHEAD TO LEAGUE TITLE
March 31, 1939. The Evening Express.
Stoke Rivals At Goodison Tomorrow.
By Pilot.
Everton are marching on towards their third First Division championship since 1919. They hold a clear lead of five points over Wolverhampton wanderers –with eight matches to go! Everton must continue to make every post a winning post, and it is essential that all home points be retained. They face a particularly hard task at Goodison Park tomorrow for Stoke City provides the opposition. Stoke did Everton a good turn on Wednesday by defeating the Wolves 5-3 after being 3-1 in arrears. A side which can recover to bang four goals past the sound Wolverhampton defence will require some beating. The Blues were good enough to gain a point at Stoke earlier in the season, and judging by the standard of their mid-week display at Old Trafford, I fancy the Merseysiders will take both points and so further consolidate their position at the hands of affairs. They must win to keep their five points lead, for the Wolves should not experience great difficulty in beating Chelsea at Molineux. Everton; Sagar; Cook, Greenhalgh; Mercer, Jones, Watson; Gillick, Bentham, Lawton, Stevenson, Boyes.
Morton Among Three Everton Players For Transfer.
Everton Football Club are first in the field with their retained and transfer lists. Mr. Theo Kelly, the club secretary, announced today that terms have been offered to all players on the club books with the exception of three. The three players placed on the transfer list are; Morton (goalkeeper), McMurray (inside-forward), Davies (Joe) (outside left). Harry Morton is the best known of the trio. He joined Everton from Aston Villa on March 10, 1937, when the Blues were hard pushed for a goalkeeper owing to Sagar having to undergo a cartilage operation. Morton made his debut against West Bromwich Albion. Previously he was with the Welch Fusiliers, and went to the Villa in 1931. He made ten first team appearances in season 1936-37, 16 appearances last season, and his one match this term was at Wolverhampton
Scottish Junior.
Morton is a sound, reliable goalkeeper who will in all probability be snapped up quickly. His name was mentioned in connection with Grimsby Town only this week. McMurray is the Scottish junior player who joined the Blues last August from Glasgow Perthshire. He came down to play trial and was so impressive that he was included in the first team which beat Liverpool in the Jubilee Fund Match. Joe Davies is the tall young winger who graduated through the “A” team to make several Central league appearances. He was secured from Haydock.
Changed Venue.
Everton “A” team have by mutual arrangements agreed to transfer tomorrows Liverpool County Combination match with Tushingham Brickworks to the Pottery-lane ground, Whiston. So it becomes their home fixture on the ground of their opponents. Everton “A” Lovett; Prescott, Saunders; M. Hill, Lambert, Davies (Jack); A. Johnson, K. Dean, S. Simmons, F. Griffiths, Keenan.

STOKE AT GOODISON
March 31, 1939. The Liverpool Echo
By stork.
Everton have the League championship in their fist, at least it appears that way with the five points lead over their challengers, Wolverhampton, but there must be no slips. Tomorrow they are up against the side which pegged the Wolves back by a great victory on Wednesday, after they had been in arrears at the interval. Stoke’s forward line can be very dangerous with such as Matthews, Steele, Sale, and others in the five, so the Everton defence must keep a tight hold on them. I need hardly tell them that, for they know full well the strength of Stoke City, and for that matter any other team in the League. It would be tragic were the Potteries team to come to Goodison Park and administer a defeat and so undo all the good they did for Everton by their victory over the Wolves. I hardly think they will do that, for their away record is not convincing. At home they have done some smart things, “out of town,” they are just an ordinary side. Everton have a stiff task ahead. Each and every club is out to knock them off their perch, but they are just as determined that they will stay there. They have every belief in their ability to win the championship, and I see no reason why they should not do so. They are playing well; and have adopted an unorthodox style of play which is paying them well. They are all agreed that plain, straightforward methods are of little use today. Something new has to be introduced to overcome the present mode of defence. The switch is nothing new. Preston exploited it to the full during their Cup year. Everton have their own plan, and it is bearing fruit. Stoke City will find Everton a difficult nut to crack. They will strive might and main to show that their victory over Wolverhampton was no mere flash in the pan, but if Everton are beaten it will be one of the biggest surprises of the year. Everton; Sagar; Cook, Greenhalgh; Mercer, Jones, Watson; Gillick, Bentham, Lawton, Stevenson, Boyes.

EVERTON SCOT FOR TRANSFER
Dundee Evening Telegraph-Friday 31 March 1939
Everton have offered terms to all but three players " for next season. The men for transfer are Morton, the former Aston goalkeeper; McMurray; and Davies a local outside left.

Morton Among Three Everton Players For Transfer
Liverpool Evening Express - Friday 31 March 1939
Everton Football Club are first in the field with their retained and transfer lists. Mr. Theo Kelly, the club secretary, announced today that terms have been offered to all players on the club hooks with the exception of three. The three players placed on the transfer list are: Morton (goalkleper), McMarray (inside forward), Davies (Joe) (outside left). Harry Morton is the best known of the trio. He joined Everton from Aston Villa on March 10, 1937, when the Blues were hard pushed for a goalkeeper, owing to Sagar having to undergo a cartilage operation. Morton made his debut against West Bromwich Albion. Previously he was with the Welsh Fusiliers, and went to the Villa in 1931. He made ten first team appearances in season 1936-37, 16 appearances last season, and his one match this term was at Wolverhampton. Scottish Junior Morton is a sound, reliable goalkeeper who will, in all probability, be snapped up quickly. (His name was mentioned in connection with Grimsby Town only this week. McMurray is the Scottish junior player who joined the Blues last August from Glasgow Perthshire. He came down to play trial and was so impressive that he was included in the first team which beat Liverpool in the Jubilee Fund match. Joe Davies is the tall young winger who graduated through the “ A ” team make several Central League appearances. He was secured from Haydock.
Changed Venue Everton “A” team have, by mutual arrangement, agreed to transfer tomorrow’s Liverpool County Combination match with Tushiugham Brickworks to Pottery-lane ground, Whiston. So it becomes their home lixture on the ground of their opponents! EVERTON "A. Lovett: Prescott, Saunder: M Hill, Lambert Davies (Jack); Johnson, K Dean, S Simmons F Griffiths. Keinan.